Contains 5 accepted taxa overall.

Characteristics
Lemna L.
DUCKWEED
Classification
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ALISMATALES
Lemna
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
Lemna minuta Least duckweed
Lemna obscura Little Duckweed
Lemna perpusilla Tiny Duckweed
Lemna valdiviana Pale Duckweed
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
No synonyms found.