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Wolffia globosa

(Roxb.) Hartog & Plas (1970)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Alismatales Family: Araceae Genus: Wolffia

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Floating aquatic herb.

Stems: The paired "leaves" are actually modified stems.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves absent. Fronds ovoid, 0.4–0.8 mm (x 0.3–0.5 mm), 1.3–2 times as long as wide, 1–1.5 times as deep as wide. Apex rounded or slightly pointed. Upper surfaces transparently green, with 1–10(–30) stomates; pigment cells absent in vegetative tissue; Papilla absent. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers 1 per frond, originating in cavity ± on median line of upper frond surface, not surrounded by utricular scale. Flowers unisexual. Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamen 1, 2-locular. Ovary superior; ovaries 1, bottle-shaped, 1-locular, tapering towards apex; style short; stigma funnel-shaped.

Fruit: Fruit indehiscent; opening by bursting. Seeds 1; nearly smooth.

Ploidy: 2n = 30; 60

Habitat: Mesotrophic to eutrophic; quiet waters in warm–temperate to tropical regions with mild winters.

Elevation Range: 0–600 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Blumea 18: 367 (1970)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1997:59 (NEWNAT/O, Mo, KEY); Hitchcock 15116 US (Mo†, 1916)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Wolffia globosa Drainage Canal, Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii Growing in the drainage canal just past the stripmall in Waimanalo. Entire stream covered with Lemna sp. and Wolffia globosa. Preserved_Specimen Crago, L.M. 2005227 Oahu BISH 2005-11-03
2 Wolffia globosa Koolaupoko Distr., Waimanalo, in Waikupanaha Stream just upstream from where it crosses beneath Kalanianaole Hwy near main entrance to Bellows AFS Freshwater canal draining Waimanalo agricultural park. Preserved_Specimen Staples, G.W. 1204 Oahu BISH 2001-02-09
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