Common Name:
COMMON DUCKWEED
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Coefficient of Conservatism:
5
Coefficient of Wetness:
-5
Wetness Index:
OBL
Physiognomy:
Nt P-Forb
R. W. Smith
Floating on the surface of standing, even stagnant water of lakes, ponds, borders of streams, quiet backwaters, floodings, etc. Sometimes stranded on wet shores after lowering of water levels.
While there is no doubt that they are biologically distinct entities, Lemna minor and L. turionifera are very similar to each other, and can sometimes be essentially impossible to distinguish in the herbarium. Both occur nearly throughout the state, though L. minor is evidently less common northwards. Michigan material suggests that L. minor is often a paler green and perhaps slightly larger on average than L. turionifera (largest plant bodies seen only rarely more than ca. 3.5 (–4) mm long, while L. minor collections were seen up to 5.2 mm long).