Lemna minor
Lemna minor, commonly known as duckweed, is a tiny, floating aquatic plant found in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Despite its diminutive size, it holds significant medicinal potential, offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This resilient species serves as a valuable resource in traditional healing and modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Lemna minor
- Family: Araceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, commonly known as common duckweed, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Alismatales and the family Araceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Lemna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Alismatales | WCVP |
| Family | Araceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lemna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Lemna minor, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 浮萍 (fúpíng), while in Esperanto, it is called Pli malgranda lemno. In Polish, the species is known as rzęsa drobna, and in Hebrew, it is identified as עדשת מים זעירה. Finally, in Russian, it is commonly called ряска малая.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 浮萍 | Wikidata |
| eo | Pli malgranda lemno | Wikidata |
| pl | Rzęsa drobna | Wikidata |
| he | עדשת מים זעירה | Wikidata |
| ru | ряска малая | Wikidata |
| frr | Podkluader | Wikidata |
| ca | llentilla d'aigua | Wikidata |
| fi | pikkulimaska | Wikidata |
| uk | ряска мала | Wikidata |
| et | väike lemmel | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found in the waters of Denmark and Finland. Its presence is also noted in the Faroe Islands, which are known as Føroyar. Additionally, the species inhabits various aquatic environments in Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range extends to the island of Iceland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Svalbard | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Lemna minor has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate, Se4+, diisopropylphosphorofluoridate, flavonoids, iodine.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Se4+ | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diisopropylphosphorofluoridate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iodine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sodium selenite | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lemna minor has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alanine aminotransferase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aspartate aminotransferase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |