Spirodela punctata
Spirodela punctata (G.Mey.) C.H.Thomps.
Spirodela punctata is a duckweed species in the Araceae family, known for its intermediate morphology between Lemna and other Spirodela species. It was first described in 1898 and has a wide distribution across multiple regions including the Azores, Portugal, the Americas, and parts of Asia. In 1999, D.H. Les and D.J. Crawford proposed placing it in a new genus, Landoltia, based on biochemical and DNA evidence.
Description
Spirodela punctata is a member of the Araceae family and is part of the Lemnoideae subfamily, commonly referred to as duckweeds. It is found in diverse regions such as Açores, Portugal, the Americas, and parts of Asia. The species exhibits morphological traits that place it between Lemna and other Spirodela species. A taxonomic revision in 1999 by D.H. Les and D.J. Crawford suggested moving it to the new genus Landoltia, based on biochemical and genetic research. This proposal highlights the species' distinct characteristics and evolutionary divergence from other duckweeds.
Distribution
Açores · Portugal Continental · TW · PT · MU · Azores · SE · NA · CO · NO · Argentina Northeast · Argentina Northwest · Argentina South · Bangladesh · Bolivia · Brazil Northeast · Brazil North · Brazil Southeast · Brazil South · Brazil West-Central · Chile Central · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Ecuador · El Salvador · Illinois · Kentucky · Leeward Is. · Panamá
Synonyms
Landoltia punctataLemna punctataSpirodela biperforataSpirodela intermediaLemna biperforata
