Plant Image
Plant


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Lemna minuta - least duckweed

Synonyms: Lemna minima Philippi, Lemna minuscula Herter, Lemna valdiviana var. abbreviata Hegelm.
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Lemnaceae


   
 
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Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native   Life Cycle: Perennial
General Desc: Smallest species in the Lemna genus. Fronds (leaf-like) almost translucent, thicker toward the center with a visible central vein, and usually found individually or in clusters of 2.
Identification notes: Free-floating aquatic plant; roots to 3/4 inch long; fronds (consist of part stem and part leaf blade) are tiny, oval or flat to convex, marked with spots, often solitary or groups of 2 connected by small, white stems; unisex flowers; rarely flowering.
Height: To 3/4 inch


Habitat

Habitat Description: Found in slow moving water.
Plant Communities: Riparian
Elevation: 3000 - 5500 feet


Flower Characteristics

Color: White     Shape: Other not in clusters     Tubular: N     Flowering Period: Jun - Sep
Description: Unisex, with 2 minute reproductive pouches, each containing 1 pistil (female organ) and 2 staminate (male organ) flowers. Plants rarely flowering.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green     Leaf Type: Other     Leaf Shape: Round or oval     Leaf Margin: Smooth     Leaf Attachment: Other     Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Stems     Spines: N
Leaf Description: Roots to 3/4 inch long, rounded to pointed tip. Fronds (leaf-like) consist of stem and leaf blade, tiny, floating, inverted egg-like, 1/16 to 1/4 inch, flat to convex or thickish, green and marked with spots, never reddish, 1 vein.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Notes: Follicles (dry many-seeded fruit opening along 1 side only) to 1/16 inch long, not winged.
Seed Notes: With 12 to 15 distinct ribs.



  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
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