Spirodela


Spirodela is a genus of aquatic plants, one of several genera containing plants commonly called duckweed. Spirodela species are members of the Araceae under the APG II system. They were formerly members of the Lemnaceae.
Spirodela species are free-floating thalli; two to five plants may remain connected to each other. Plants are green, but may have a red or brown underside. Multiple roots emerge from each thallus. Spirodela is larger than Lemna.
Certain species of Spirodela overwinter as turions, a dormant form that lacks air pockets, so sinks to the bottom of the pond. In spring, turions rise to the surface and germinate to start a new population.
Spirodela often forms floating mats with related species, e.g. Lemna and Wolffia.
The genus is virtually cosmopolitan in distribution. Spirodela punctata is sometimes treated as Landoltia punctata.

Species

  1. Spirodela oligorrhiza Hegelm. - Africa, Australia, southern Asia
  2. Spirodela polyrrhiza Schleid. - cosmopolitan
  3. Spirodela punctata C.H.Thomps. - South America, Central America, West Indies
  4. Spirodela sichuanensis M.G.Liu & K.M.Xie - southern China