Family: Araceae
Author: Landolt
Bibliography: Aquatic Bot. 1: 355 (1975)
Year: 1975
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lemna
Vegetable: False
Observations: N. Europe to N. Japan, N. America
Description
Turion duckweed, scientifically known as Lemna turionifera, is a remarkable member of the Araceae family. This intriguing aquatic plant is noted for its broad geographic distribution, stretching from Northern Europe to Northern Japan and across North America.
First described in detail by Landolt in 1975 in the journal Aquatic Botany, turion duckweed is distinguished by its adaptive strategies and survival capabilities in various environments. One of its key characteristics is the production of turions, which are small, resilient bud-like structures that enable the plant to persist through unfavorable conditions, such as cold temperatures or nutrient-poor waters. The turions sink and remain dormant until conditions improve, ensuring the continuation of the species when seasons change.
Habitat-wise, Lemna turionifera is commonly found in calm freshwater bodies, including ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Its presence is an indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The plant’s rapid growth and ability to cover large water surfaces provide essential benefits, such as offering shade and cooling for aquatic fauna and aiding in water purification by absorbing excess nutrients.
Turion duckweed’s ecological importance cannot be understated. It supports a diversity of aquatic life, serving as food and habitat for various microorganisms, insects, and even some fish species. Additionally, its potential as a bioindicator for water quality and its role in nutrient cycling make it a subject of interest for scientists and ecologists.
In conclusion, turion duckweed (Lemna turionifera) is a small but significantly impactful plant within the Araceae family that plays a vital role in the ecosystems it inhabits. Its adaptability and ecological contributions highlight the importance of studying and preserving these unassuming but valuable plants in our aquatic environments.
Common Names
Nld: knopkroos
Fra: lenticule à turion, lentille-d’eau, lenticule turionifère
Deu: rote wasserlinse
Dan: rød andemad
Eng: turion duckweed, perennial duckweed, red duckweed
Swe: itulimaska, rös andmat, röd andmat
Fin: itulimaska
Ces: okřehek
Nob: strengandemat
Nno: strengandemat
En: Turion duckweed, Perennial duckweed, Red duckweed
Ar: لمنة برعمية
Zh: 鳞根萍
Cs: Okřehek červený, Okřehek
Da: Rød andemad
Nl: Knopkroos
Et: Punatäpp-lemmel
Fi: Itulimaska
Fr: Lenticulare turionifère, Lenticule à turion, Lentille-d’eau, Lenticule turionifère, Lenticule
De: Rot-Wasserlinse, Rote Wasserlinse, Turionen-Wasserlinse
Nb: Strengandemat
Nn: Strengandemat
Pl: Rzęsa turionowa
Sv: Röd andmat, Itulimaska, Rös andmat
Synonyms
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- California (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Texas (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Utah (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yukon (native)
- Austria (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Poland (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Other
Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2867631)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:526224-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lemna turionifera Landolt)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Soil nutriments: 5