Lemna valdiviana
Valdivia duckweed
(c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zihao Wang · licence
Family: Araceae · Type: Herb · Native
Lemna valdiviana (Valdivia duckweed) is a native California herb in the Araceae family, recognized by thin transparent appearance, groups of 4-8, and long vein.
Valdivia duckweed is a native aquatic perennial found in coastal and mountain regions including the North Coast, Sierra Nevada, central western California, southern California, and Peninsular Ranges in freshwater habitats at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from spring to fall, this tiny plant produces uniformly transparent green fronds that typically grow in clusters of 4 to 8 individuals. Growing as a thin, elliptic to narrowly oblong aquatic plant just 2 to 4 millimeters long, it attaches to water surfaces with distinctive asymmetric base and symmetric tip. Its delicate fronds feature a vein extending up to three-quarters of the distance from root attachment to plant tip, with smooth surfaces and visible air spaces between cells. The plant's seeds are characterized by cross-lined textures between surface ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 6 species; key features are thin transparent appearance, groups of 4-8, and long vein
Habitat and range
Habitat: Freshwater
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura, San Bernardino, Tulare, Sonoma, Humboldt, Marin, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sierra, Lake, Contra Costa, Tuolumne, Mendocino, Lassen, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Modoc, Fresno, El Dorado
Outside California: to eastern United States, South America
Bloom period
Lemna valdiviana blooms Spring-fall.
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 valdiviana native to California?
Yes. Lemna valdiviana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lemna valdiviana bloom?
Lemna valdiviana blooms Spring-fall.
Where in California does Lemna valdiviana grow?
Lemna valdiviana occurs in Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Los Angeles, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Lemna valdiviana belong to?
Lemna valdiviana is in the Araceae family, genus Lemna.
What habitat does Lemna valdiviana grow in?
Lemna valdiviana grows in Freshwater.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.