What is a distinct feature of watermeal?

Watermeal is characterized by its oval shape and free-floating nature. This tiny aquatic plant, which belongs to the family of duckweeds, is one of the smallest flowering plants in the world. Its free-floating ability allows it to thrive on the surface of still or slow-moving water, where it can absorb nutrients directly from the water. This adaptation is crucial for its survival, enabling watermeal to exploit sunlight for photosynthesis efficiently and to reproduce quickly.

The other features mentioned in the options do not accurately describe watermeal. Large leaves and rooted structures characterize many other aquatic plants, while flowers are more typical of terrestrial plants or some larger aquatic plants. Similarly, the description of being submerged with long stems does not apply to watermeal, as it does not develop such structures. Understanding these characteristics helps distinguish watermeal from other aquatic flora and highlights its unique adaptations to aquatic environments.