Lemna trisulca

9.9

A small water plant that floats on ponds and often forms dense green mats

noun

: Lemna trisulca

Unlike some other duckweeds, Lemna trisulca often grows submerged just below the water surface.

Examples

Lemna trisulca can form dense floating mats on calm freshwater ponds.
Researchers observed the rapid spread of Lemna trisulca in the region's waterways.
I found some Lemna trisulca in the pond.
The Lemna trisulca grows rapidly in warm water.
Lemna trisulca can form dense floating mats on calm freshwater ponds.
Researchers observed the rapid spread of Lemna trisulca in the region's waterways.
Unlike some other duckweeds, Lemna trisulca often grows submerged just below the water surface.

Surface Forms

Lemna trisulca singular

Lemna trisulcas plural

Morphology

Lemna + trisulca

This is a Latin binomial taxonomic name, not a productive English phrase. Even if a learner knows 'Lemna' as a small aquatic plant, the specific epithet 'trisulca' is not an English word (and its Latin components would be opaque to a B1 learner), so the overall species label functions as an arbitrary label rather than a compositional meaning.

Etymology

Lemna trisulca may come from old Greek and Latin words: Lemna was the name for tiny floating water plants (so 'duckweed'), and trisulca mixes 'tri' meaning 'three' with a part meaning 'split' to show the plant often forms three joined pieces. So the name tells you it's a small 'duckweed' that often looks joined in threes, helping you picture the plant.