Contains 5 accepted taxa overall.
Characteristics
Classification
Citation
LEMNA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 970. 1753, nom. cons.
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TYPE: Lemna minor Linnaeus, typ. cons.
Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Herbarium Specimens | Status | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemna aequinoctialis | LESSER DUCKWEED | Native OBL (NWPL) | ||
| Lemna minor | COMMON DUCKWEED | Native OBL (NWPL) | ||
| Lemna minuta | LEAST DUCKWEED | Native OBL (NWPL) | ||
| Lemna obscura | LITTLE DUCKWEED | Native OBL (NWPL) | ||
| Lemna valdiviana | VALDIVIA DUCKWEED | Native OBL (NWPL) |
Identification Key
1. (Visualising veins typically requires clearing pigments, e.g. preserving some fronds in ethanol, boiling in lactophenol, or boiling in ethanol and placing in dilute bleach) Frond with 1 vein (sometimes obscure or subtle), without reddish color (no anthocyanin)
2
1. Frond with 3-5(-7) veins (sometimes obscure or subtle), with or without reddish color (no anthocyanin)
3
2. Frond 1-2 times longer than wide, midvein not longer than ⅔ the distance from the node to the apex; seed with 12-15 indistinct ribs
2. Frond 1.3-3 times longer than wide, midvein at least ¾ of distance from the node (point of root attachment) to the apex; seed with 15-29 indistinct ribs
3. Root sheath winged at base; root tip usually sharp pointed; roots to 3(-3.5) cm; fronds 1-3 times longer than wide, without reddish color or spots (no anthocyanin), mostly with 1 very distinct papilla near apex on upper surface
3. Root sheath not winged; root tip mostly rounded; roots often longer than 3 cm; fronds 1-2 times longer than wide, often with reddish tinge or spots (anthocyanin), with or without distinct papillae near apex on upper surface
4
4. Fronds 1.3-2 times longer than wide, not reddish on the lower surface (or at least much less so than on upper); greatest distance between lateral veins near or proximal to middle
4. Fronds 1-1.5 times longer than wide, often reddish on the lower surface (more intensely so than on upper); greatest distance between lateral veins near or distal to middle
Genus Synonyms
| Synonym | Full Citation | Basionym | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrophace | Hydrophace Haller f., Hist. Stirp. Helv. 3: 68. 1768. | TYPE: = Lemna Linnaeus 1753. | |
| Lenticula | Lenticula Hill, Brit. Herb. 530. 1757 ("1756"). | TYPE: = Lemna Linnaeus 1753. | |
| Lenticularia | Lenticularia Friche-Joset & Montandon, Syn. Fl. Jura Sept. 308. 1856, non Seguier 1754. | TYPE: Lenticularia monorhiza Friche-Joset & Montandon, nom. illegit. (Lemna minor Linnaeus) = Lemna Linnaeus 1753. | |
| Lenticularia | Lenticularia Seguier, Pl. Veron. 3: 129. 1754. | TYPE: = Lemna Linnaeus 1753. | |
| Telmatophace | Telmatophace Schleiden, Linnaea 13: 391. 1839. | TYPE: Telmatophace gibba (Linnaeus) Schleiden (Lemna gibba Linnaeus) |