Lemna minuta

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Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Lemna
Species:
L. minuta
Binomial name
Lemna minuta
Synonyms

Lemna minuscula

Lemna minuta is a species of duckweed known by the common name least duckweed.[1][2] It is the smallest Lemna species.[3] It is native to parts of the Americas, and naturalized in others; the exact native range is not known. It is found on other continents as a non-native introduction as well. The plant's distribution is ever-expanding; it has been spreading in Europe and it was described from Poland for the first time in 2007.[4] In many areas it is a noxious weed, such as in Belgium.[5]

This tiny plant varies in shape depending on growth conditions. In the shade it is a single green translucent oval body no more than 2.5 millimeters long, and in full sunlight it generally grows in pairs. There is a central vein usually visible under magnification and microscopy. The plant produces an ephemeral membrane-bound flower.

This duckweed grows in slow-moving, calm, and stagnant freshwater habitats. It affects the ecology of its habitat by forming mats on the water surface, reducing sunlight penetration and oxygen exchange.[5]

References

  1. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Lemna minuta". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. Flora of Northern Ireland
  4. Banaszek, A. and K. Musiał. (2009). The new kenophyte in Poland - Lemna minuta Humb., Bonpl., & Kunth Archived 2011-10-04 at the Wayback Machine. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 78:1 69-72
  5. 1 2 Invasive Alien Species in Belgium: Lemna minuta


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