Lemna sp.
Duckweed, Duckweed
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Family: Araceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Lemna sp. (Duckweed) is a native California perennial in the Araceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Azolla: Lemna is smooth bright green with a single root; Azolla is feathery textured, often reddish, with no visible roots.; vs Callitriche: Lemna floats as separate tiny discs; Callitriche has distinct stems with opposite leaves forming small rosettes.; vs Nasturtium: Lemna is a tiny rootless-looking disc; Nasturtium has obvious stems, compound leaves, and grows rooted in mud.; vs Spirodela: Count the roots: Lemna has exactly one root per disc, Spirodela has multiple roots clustered together beneath each disc.; vs Landoltia: Count the roots: Lemna has one root per disc, Landoltia has 2-7 roots hanging down like a tiny broom.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lemna sp. native to California?
Yes. Lemna sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Lemna sp. belong to?
Lemna sp. is in the Araceae family, genus Lemna.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.