Spirodela polyrrhiza

9.9

A small floating water plant that grows on ponds and lakes worldwide

noun

Specialized

: Spirodela polyrrhiza

After the flood, Spirodela polyrrhiza quickly covered the surface of the local pond.

Examples

Spirodela polyrrhiza can be identified by its small, flat leaves that float on the water's surface.
Researchers studied the rapid growth of Spirodela polyrrhiza in controlled aquatic environments.
Spirodela polyrrhiza is one of the world's most widely distributed duckweed species.
Look at the Spirodela polyrrhiza floating there!
The Spirodela polyrrhiza is often found in freshwater lakes.
Spirodela polyrrhiza is known for its ability to thrive in various freshwater habitats around the globe.
In many regions, Spirodela polyrrhiza forms dense mats on the surface of still waters.

Synonyms

great duckweed

vsSpirodela polyrrhiza

8.4

Small floating plant with round leaves that forms mats on ponds

is the Latin scientific name used for that species

Surface Forms

Spirodela polyrrhiza singular

Spirodela polyrrhiza plural

Morphology

Spirodela + polyrrhiza

This is a Latin binomial (taxonomic) proper name, not a standard English compositional phrase, so its status as a particular species ('a species of duckweed') is a conventional label rather than a meaning derivable from everyday English. One constituent ('polyrrhiza') is not found in the dictionary and consists of Greek morphemes unfamiliar to B1 learners, so even knowing 'Spirodela' as 'small aquatic plants' would not let a typical B1 learner infer the specific species meaning.

Etymology

Spirodela polyrrhiza is a scientific name that paints a picture: Spirodela suggests small round leaves floating on the water and polyrrhiza points to the many tiny roots hanging like a little brush below. That's why the name helps you remember it is a very common 'duckweed' that quickly 'spreads' over ponds in many parts of the world.