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Spirodela punctata

(G.Mey.) C.H.Thomps. (1898)

This name is accepted

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

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Floating aquatic herb.

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

Roots: Roots (1–)2–7(–12), to 7 cm, all perforating scale.

Leaves: Leaves absent. Fronds obovate, flat or gibbous, 1.5–8 mm, 1.5–2 times as long as wide. Apex mostly pointed. Upper surfaces without red spot; distinct turions absent. Veins (3–)5–7. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers usually 3 in each pouch, 2(3) staminate and 1 pistillate in 1–2 lateral pouches on either side of the basal end of the frond, enclosed in a spathe. Flowers unisexual. Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 2, 4-locular. Ovary superior; ovaries 1–2–ovulate.

Fruit: Fruit 0.8–1 mm; laterally winged to apex. Seeds with 10–15 distinct ribs.

Ploidy: 2n = 40; 46; 50

Habitat: Eutrophic; quiet waters; in warm–temperate to subtropical regions with mild winters.

Elevation Range: 0–900 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous or Naturalized

Island Status

O'ahu Indigenous or Naturalized
Hawai'i Indigenous or Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Rep. (Annual) Missouri Bot. Gard. 1898: 28 (1898)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1997:59 (NEWNAT/O, H [as S. punctata], KEY); Staples et al. 2002:11 (Syn. S. punctata = Landoltia punctata, DESCR); Ward 2011 (Syn. L. punctata = S. punctata)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Spirodela punctata Waikane Stream, tributary drainage south of main drainage, on north edge of large clearing Tiny floating plant in standing water with multiple roots. Waterway is dominated by Hibiscus tiliaceus, banks with Sphagneticola trilobata, Echinochloa colona, Paspalum vaginatum, Cyperus javanicus, Bacopa monnieri. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 200134 Oahu BISH 2001-05-22
2 Spirodela punctata Kailua levee Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 150 Oahu BISH 1976-07-30
3 Spirodela punctata Hilo, Wailoa estuary Preserved_Specimen Floating duckweed, purple below. Stemmermann, R.L. 7182 Hawaii BISH 1987-07-25
4 Spirodela punctata Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Valley, Oahu, Hawaii Floating on the surface of a water pot next to the office. Preserved_Specimen Floating herb, many roots, purple under sides and frond margins. Crago, L.M. 2005221 Oahu BISH 2005-11-01
5 Spirodela punctata 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 Dense mat of floating aquatics that carpets water surface. Plant body (thallus) ellipsoid, medium green, margins often reddish, usually 2 or more joined together; rhizoid usually 1 per thallus. Staples, G.W. 1205 Oahu BISH 2001-02-09
6 Spirodela punctata Kau, Punaluu, Ninole Pond Preserved_Specimen Floating aquatic, purple below. Stemmermann, R.L. 7194 Hawaii BISH 1987-09-04
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