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Lemna. | LEMNACEAE, 283 
1. LEMNA Linn. \7 39 © 
Fronds proliferous from the sides near the base, with one or several 
delicate root-fibres descending from the under-surtace. Flowers in 
marginal clefts of the fronds. Filaments slender ; anthers didymous, 
2-celled ; pollen globose, muricate. Ovary with 1-7 ovules. Fruit a 
1-7-seeded utricle. Seeds erect or horizontal; embryo conic or ovoid. 
A small genus of 8 or 9 species, most of them of almost world-wide distribution. 
The two following are all that are positively known to occur in New Zealand, but others 
will probably be found. 
Root single. Fronds broadly ovate, thin, almost flat on both 
surfaces. Ovule solitary a Ae os .. lL ZL. minor. 
Root single. Fronds broadly ovate, thick, conspicuously tumid 
beneath. Ovules 2 bes “4 p is ee NE tee 
gad L. minor Linn. Sp. Plant. (1753) 970.—Root solitary, the sheath at its 
base without appendages. Frond symmetrical, 3-4 m. long, ovate or oblong, 
nearly flat on both surfaces, green above, paler beneath; young ones 
erowing from one side but soon becoming disconnected. Spathe unequally 
2-lipped. Stamens 2, appearing successively (each a distinct male flower). 
Style rather long. Seed horizontal, hemi-anatropal, albuminous.—Hook. f. 
Fl. Nov. Zel.i (1853) 289; Handb. N.Z. Fl. (1864) 278 ; Benth, FI. 
Austral. vii (1878) 163; Hegelm. Lemn, (1868) 142, t. 9, 10. 
Norru anp Soutu Istanps: Still waters, abundant throughout. Sea-level to 
2000 ft. Duckweed. Almost cosmopolitan in its distrioution. 
, 2. L. gibba Linn. Sp. Plant. (1753) 970—Root solitary, the sheath at 
its base elongate, cylindric, rootcap acute. Frond symmetrical, 4 in. 
long, thick and spongy, flat above, convex beneath ; young ones srowing 
from one side, but soon separating. Spathe sac-like. Stamens 2. Ovules 
9 or more. Utricle bursting transversely. Seeds erect, anatropous , 
albumen scanty or wanting —Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. 1 (1853) 289 ; Handb. 
N.Z. Fl. (1864) 278; Benth. Fl. Austral. vii (1878) 163; Hegelm. Lemn. 
(1868) 145, tt. 11-13. 
NortH Istanp: Poverty Bay, Colenso. 
T have seen no New Zealand specimens of this species, which is almost as widely 
distributed as L. minor. It is recognized at a glance by the conspicuously tumid under- 
surface of the frond. E ae 
RestloNACERe 
Family XVI. RESTIACEAE. 
Sedge-like or rush-like perennial herbs, either tufted or with a creeping 
rhizome usually covered with imbricated scales. Stems rigid, simple or 
branched, erect or flexuose. Leaves either few, radical, linear and sedge- 
like, or more often nearly or altogether reduced to convolute scales 
sheathing the stem; sheaths usually split to the base. Flowers dioecious, 
very rarely hermaphrodite, in spikes or racemes or panicles, each flower 
furnished at the base with a dry and rigid bract (glume) and sometimes 
2 bracteoles. Perianth regular, of 6, rarely more or less, rigid or scarious 
erect segments. Male flowers: Stamens 3; filaments free or rarely 
connate into a colmun; anthers oblong, usually I-celled. Rudimentary 
ovary occasionally present. Female flowers : Staminodia present or absent. 
Ovary 1-3-celled ; styles as many as the cells, free or connate at the base, 
