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Lemna turionifera — turion duckweed

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New England distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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North America distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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Facts

Turion duckweed is a widespread native duckweed. Its species name refers to the fact that it sometimes produces turions, vegetative plantlets that can disperse and go dormant for long periods. Its "leaves" (thalli) are often colored purple on their undersides and have tiny projections (papillae) along the midrib.

Habitat

Lacustrine (in lakes or ponds), riverine (in rivers or streams)

Characteristics

Habitat
aquatic
New England state
  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
Roots
there is approximately one root per thallus
Thallus shape in cross-section
the thallus is somewhat flattened on at least one side in cross-section
Thallus length
1–4 mm
Thallus shape
the thallus is obovate (egg-shaped, but with the widest point above the middle of the leaf blade)
Thallus dimensions
1–1.5
Veins on upper surface
3
Show all characteristics

  • Flowers

    Scale surrounding flower
    no
    Stamen number
    2

  • Fruits or seeds

    Fruit length
    0.5–0.6 mm
    Seed surface ribbed
    the seed surface is nearly smooth

  • Growth form

    Root length
    Up to 150 mm
    Root number
    1
    Root sheath winged at base
    no
    Roots
    there is approximately one root per thallus
    Roots perforating basal scale
    there is no basal scale on the plant
    Thallus dimensions
    1–1.5
    Thallus edge
    the edge of the thallus is smooth (without teeth) near the tip
    Thallus length
    1–4 mm
    Thallus shape
    the thallus is obovate (egg-shaped, but with the widest point above the middle of the leaf blade)
    Thallus shape in cross-section
    the thallus is somewhat flattened on at least one side in cross-section
    Thallus stalks
    the thallus has a stalk
    Thallus with red pigment
    yes
    Turions
    • no
    • yes

  • Leaves

    Papilla on thallus
    yes
    Veins on upper surface
    3

  • Place

    Habitat
    aquatic
    New England state
    • Connecticut
    • Massachusetts
    • Rhode Island
    • Vermont
    Specific habitat
    • in lakes or ponds
    • in rivers or streams

Wetland status

Occurs only in wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: OBL)

New England distribution and conservation status

Distribution

Connecticut
present
Maine
absent
Massachusetts
present
New Hampshire
absent
Rhode Island
present
Vermont
present

Conservation status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.

Massachusetts
historical (S-rank: SH), H (code: H)
Rhode Island
extremely rare (S-rank: S1), concern (uncertain) (code: C*)
Vermont
historical (S-rank: SH)

Native to North America?

Yes

Sometimes confused with

Lemna minor:
turions never produced and parent plants usually green on lower surface (vs. L. turionifera, with small, rootless turions 0.8-1.6 mm in diameter sometimes produced and parent plants with red to purple coloration on lower surface).
Lemna perpusilla:
root sheath winged at base, roots up to 3.5 cm long, usually sharply pointed at apex, and thalli without anthocyanic pigment (vs. L. turionifera, with the root sheath not winged at base, roots to 15 cm long, frequently longer than 3.5 cm, rounded at apex, and thalli usually with anthocyanic pigment).

Family

Araceae

Genus

Lemna

Help

From the dichotomous key of Flora Novae Angliae

5.  Lemna turionifera Landolt NC

turion duckweed. CT, MA, RI, VT. Mesotrophic to eutrophic waters of lakes, rivers, beaver flowages, and pools.