Salvinia minima Baker

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Salviniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Salvinia minima Baker

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes with circular stele in cross section; floating leaves orbicular to slightly oblong, wider than long, 0.6–1.5 x 0.6–2 cm, cordate at bases, obtuse (to rarely notched) at apices, adaxial surfaces with numerous conical papillae (2–3 mm long) over entire surface in rows between main veins, with 4 hairs spreading and free at their tips; sporocarps sessile on unbranched, pendent main axes of fertile leaves, lemon-shaped, somewhat apiculate.

  • Discussion

    Type. Brazil. Santa Catarina: Mu¨ller 479 (K!).

    Salvinia rotundifolia auct., non Willd., a misapplied name, discussed by Morton (see citation under Salvinia rotundifolia Willd., a synonym of S. auriculata).

    Pocovi s.n. (UAMIZ), from Jalisco, seems to be S. minima on the basis of leaf size, but the hairs at the tips of the papillae are too poorly developed to assess the critical character. A specimen from Tabasco, Gliessman et al. 1694 (CSAT, MO p.p., NY, TEX) has the papillae very reduced or obsolete; it has the blade size of S. minima, but the adaxial papillae are similar to S. auriculata. Most New World specimens identified as S. natans (L.) All., a Eurasian species, are actually S. minima. Salvinia natans resembles S. minima in its spreading hairs at the tips of short papillae and round sporocarps.

  • Distribution

    Floating in marshes, lakes, ponds and quiet backwaters of streams and rivers; 0–650 m. USA (Ga, Fla); Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, Salv, Nic, CR, Pan; Berm, Gr & L Ant; Col, Ven, Fr Gui, Ec, Peru, Braz, Bol, Parag, n Arg, Uru.

    Mexico North America| Uruguay South America| Argentina South America| Paraguay South America| Bolivia South America| Brazil South America| Peru South America| Ecuador South America| French Guiana French Guiana South America| Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| West Indies| Bermuda South America| Panama Central America| Costa Rica South America| Nicaragua Central America| El Salvador Central America| Honduras Central America| Belize Central America| Guatemala Central America|