Salvinia minima Baker

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Beitel, Joseph M. 1988. Pteridophyte Flora of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46: 1-580.

  • Family

    Salviniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Salvinia minima Baker

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome with circular stele in cross section; floating leaves orbicular to slightly oblong, wider than long, 0.6-1.5 cm long, 0.6-2 cm wide, cordate at base, obtuse (to rarely notched) at apex, upper surface with numerous conical papillae (23 mm long) over entire surface in rows between main veins, with four hairs spreading and free at their tips; sporocarps sessile on unbranched, pendent main axis of fertile leaf, lemon-shaped, somewhat apiculate.

  • Discussion

    Type. Brazil. Santa Catarina, Müller 479 (K!). Salvinia rotundifolia auct., non Willdenow (see S. auriculata). Most of the New World records of S. natans (Linnaeus) Allione, a Eurasian species, are actually S. minima. Salvinia natans, resembling S. minima in its four spreading hairs, has low papillae (0.2-0.8 mm) and round sporocarps; it has been introduced in Jamaica (Proctor, 1985).

  • Distribution

    Floating in marshes, lakes, ponds and quiet backwaters of streams and rivers; 0650 m (in Chiapas). Mexico (Ver, Chis, Tab, Yuc); US (Ga, Fla); Guat to Pan; Berm; Fr Gui to Braz & n Arg.

    Mexico North America| Argentina South America| Brazil South America| French Guiana South America| Bermuda South America| Panama Central America| Guatemala Central America| Georgia United States of America North America| Florida United States of America North America|