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greater duckweed

Roots

up to 3 cm long.

Turions

1–2 mm diameter; greenish brown.

Plant bodies

(3)5–10 mm long, 1–1.5 times longer than wide, orbicular to obovate, 7–16 veins;

lower surface flat; reddish purple;

upper surface green, usually with a reddish purple spot above the root attachment, generally in clusters of 2–5 or solitary.

2n

=30, 38, 40, 50, 80.

Spirodela polyrrhiza

Distribution
[WildflowerSearch map]
Discussion

0–1700 m. BR, Casc, Est, Sisk, WV. CA, ID, NV, WA; throughout North America; temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Native.

There are pigment cells in the epidermis of Spirodela species that are visible in dead plants as brown dots.

Source Flora of Oregon, volume 1, page 150
Katie Mitchell
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