Least duckweed (Lemna minuta, F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 372 (1816))

Family: Araceae

Author: Kunth

Bibliography: F.W.H.von Humboldt, A.J.A.Bonpland & C.S.Kunth, Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 372 (1816)

Year: 1816

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lemna

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: America

Description

Least duckweed, known scientifically as Lemna minuta, is a fascinating aquatic plant from the family Araceae. Discovered and documented by the renowned botanist Kunth with references dating back to as early as 1816, this plant was included in the works of prominent botanists such as F.W.H. von Humboldt, A.J.A. Bonpland, and C.S. Kunth in their publication “Nov. Gen. Sp.”

This minute yet intriguing plant predominantly inhabits the waters of America, where it has been extensively observed and studied. Lemna minuta is abundant in freshwater environments, thriving on the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of water. It is characterized by its very small, round to oval-shaped leaves which float freely, creating a delicate, green carpet over the water surface.

Least duckweed plays a significant ecological role in its habitat. It supports aquatic life by providing food and shelter for a variety of organisms, including insects, amphibians, and small fish. Additionally, it contributes to the oxygenation of water and helps in maintaining the water quality by absorbing excess nutrients.

Despite its small size, Lemna minuta is highly efficient in its growth and reproduction. It reproduces both vegetatively and sexually, though vegetative reproduction via budding is more common. This rapid reproduction allows it to quickly colonize available water surfaces, often forming dense mats.

In summary, Lemna minuta or Least duckweed is a small yet vital component of aquatic ecosystems in America. Its documentation by celebrated botanists and its role in the environment highlight its importance in the natural world.

Common Names

Nld: dwergkroos
Dan: enstrenget andemad
Deu: kleinste wasserlinse, winzige wasserlinse, zierliche wasserlinse
Ita: lente d’acqua
Fra: lentille d’eau minuscule, lentille deau minuscule, lenticule minuscule
Eng: minute duckweed, least duckweed
Por: lentilha-d`água
Nno: dvergandemat
Nob: dvergandemat
Swe: kölandmat
Cym: corlinad, llinad bach
En: Least duckweed, Minute duckweed
Ar: لمنة صغروية
Zh: 单脉萍
Cs: Okřehek nejmenší
Da: Enstrenget andemad
Nl: Dwergkroos
Fi: Vaivaislimaska
Fr: Lentille deau minuscule, Lentille d’eau minuscule, Lenticule minuscule, Lentille-d’eau minuscule
De: Winzige Wasserlinse, Zierliche Wasserlinse, Kleinste Wasserlinse, Kleinste Wasserlinste
It: Lente d’acqua
Nb: Dvergandemat
Nn: Dvergandemat
Fa: عدسک آبی ریز
Pt: Lentilha-d`água
Sv: Kölandmat
Cy: Llinad bach, Corlinad

Synonyms

• Lemna abbreviata ((Hegelm.) Hegelm.)
• Lemna valdiviana var. abbreviata (Hegelm.)
• Lemna valdiviana var. minima (Hegelm.)
• Lemna minuscula (Herter)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• California (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Texas (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Utah (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 4, 2020 by G. Verwijmeren (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Martin Sanford (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Section locale de la SBF ABBA – ASSOCIATION BOTANIQUE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 24, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 15, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Gérard LEVESLIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Gérard LEVESLIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Gérard LEVESLIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Regis PELTRAULT (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2867614)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:526198-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lemna minuta Kunth)

Specifications

Growth