Lemna aequinoctialis

Lesser duckweed

Family: Araceae · Type: perennial · Native

Lesser duckweed is a native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Valley, Central Coast, southern California Coast, and Desert Sonoran regions in freshwater habitats at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from September to December, this aquatic plant produces small light green fronds with distinctive minute bumps at the tip and root attachment. Growing in small colonies typically two to three and a half millimeters long, these obovate-elliptic fronds have an asymmetric base and symmetric tip. Its delicate fronds are light green with a smooth lower surface, forming unique floating clusters in still water. The seed surfaces display cross-lined textures between subtle ribs, creating intricate patterns within its tiny aquatic structure.

Habitat: Freshwater in hot regions

Bloom period: Sep-Dec

Elevation: < 200 m

Bioregions: n SNF, GV, CCo, SCo, DSon

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.