Lemnaceae
	Genera : 6 Species: 30   To Genus Directories: Lemna Wolffiella

Distribution: Cosmopolitan in freshwater systems.

Economic Uses: The family has been investigated as a potential source of food on long space voyages by NASA because of its ability to reproduce asexually, by budding. Currently, it is an important food source for aquatic birds and fishes.

Defining Features of Interest: Morphologically the family is interesting in that it has no leaves, but is a floating or submerged thallus-like structure with dangling, simple roots and is not anchored in any substrate. Rarely flowering and usually reproducing by budding, the family never the less contains the world's smallest flowering plant (1-2 mm).

Fossil Evidence:No known fossil record.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic, but incomplete (perianth lacking) and unisexual/monoecious(rarely dioecious). Inflorescence of two males and one female borne in a pouch and surrounded by a spathe (bract).

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a utricle. Seeds are large with endosperm present or lacking. PLacentation is basal.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as a thallus-like floating or submerged aquatic. May have one or few simple roots. Leaves are lacking. Stipules are lacknig.