First report of Lemna valdiviana in Italy
While Lemna minuta (Araceae) is already a widespread invasive alien plant in Europe, Lemna valdiviana, originating from the Americas, is reported for the first time in Italy. The species is reported as casual (= transient) in Lazio (Agro Pontino, Uffente river), and as naturalized (= established) in Sardegna (Valle di Palabanda, Cagliari) according to Podda et al. (2010).
L. valdiviana is a free-floating hydrophyte growing in aquatic habitats characterized by a very low waterflow. Italian populations show a vigorous vegetative reproduction, but no sexual reproduction.
Sources
Iberite M, Iamonico D, Abati S ; Abbate G (2011) Lemna valdiviana Phil. (Araceae) as a potential invasive species in Italy and Europe: taxonomic study and first observations on its ecology and distribution. Plant Biosystems 145(4), 751–757.
Podda L, Fraga Arguimbau P, Mayoral García-Berlanga O, Mascia F ; Bacchetta G (2010) Comparación de la flora exótica vascular en sistemas de islas continentales: Cerdeña (Italia) y Baleares (España). Anales del Jardín Botánica de Madrid 67, 157–176.