Lemnaceae - Images of Lemna turionifera

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Lemna turionifera

Dorsal view of mature body in the autumn showing
several smaller, dark green, overwintering turions.

Lemna turionifera

Ventral view of plant body showing blotches of reddish anthocyanin.
(The similar-appearing L. minor lacks the reddish underside.)

Lemna turionifera

Dorsal view of roadside ditch in San Pasqual Valley (San Diego County) showing a homogeneous population of Lemna turionifera. Some plants have a row of 3-7 minute papules along the midline of the dorsal surface (resembling a row of white dots). In this sample, there are no other visible characters to separate this species from L. minor. No reddish anthocyanin has developed on the ventral surface (near the junction with root base), probably because of the time of year (March 2003). In addition, no overwintering turions are visible because they are usually produced during the fall months. [One rootless turion was discovered in the sample of duckweeds and mud.] In addition, L. turionifera appears to be more common than L. minor in San Diego County, particular in the mountains and inland valleys. This species could be confused with nongibbous L. gibba, but that species generally lacks the dorsal row of papules and often develops anthocyanin on its upper side.

Landolt, E. 1975. "Morphological Differentiation and Geographical Distribution of the Lemna gibba-Lemna minor Group." Aquatic Botany 1: 345-363.

Kit Carson Park, Escondido, California

Cattail marsh in Kit Carson Park, September 2004.

Three species of duckweeds viewed with backlighting: A. Lemna minuta with a single vein and small size (1-2 mm long); B. L. turionifera with three veins, dorsal row of papules and reddish anthocyanin on lower side. This species may be confused with nongibbous L. gibba, but that species generally lacks the dorsal row of papules and often develops anthocyanin on its upper side; C. Landoltia punctata with 3-5 veins, reddish-purple ventral surface appearing dark purple-green from above. Although Landoltia often has 2-3 roots, many individuals in this population have a single root.

View of the ventral surfaces of Landoltia punctata and Lemna turionifera in the fall in San Diego County. The ventral side of L. turionifera is blotched with reddish anthocyanin, but not as dark purple as Landoltia.

Ventral surface of Landoltia punctata from Mendocino County. The reddish anthocyanin and multiple roots are unmistakable for this species.

Another Ventral View of Landoltia punctata

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