Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin
THE DUCKWEED FAMILY
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| A pond covered with duckweeds (Lemna minor and Wolffia columbiana) in late summer. |
The duckweed family consists of floating plants, without leaves; instead they have a flattened or globose frond. Plants may or may not have roots. Most reproduction is vegetative by budding. However, the duckweeds do produce flowers and are the world's smallest flowering plants.
Key to the Genera of the Duckweed Family
- 1A. Roots are usually present and/or plants float beneath the surface...............2
- 2A. A single root per frond is usually present...............Lemna
- 2B. Several roots per frond are present...............Spirodela
- 2A. A single root per frond is usually present...............Lemna
- 1 B. Roots are absent and plant floats at the surface...............3
- 3A. Plants are globular, tiny (0.3-1 mm. long)...............Wolffia
- 3B. Plants are strap-shaped, larger (6-8 mm. long)...............Wolffiella
- 3A. Plants are globular, tiny (0.3-1 mm. long)...............Wolffia
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