Taxon Report

Wolffia brasiliensis Wedd.

Brazilian watermeal

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© 2021 Scot Loring

Taxon Summary

Wolffia brasiliensis, commonly known as Brazilian watermeal, is a perennial herb (aquatic) in the Araceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Marshes and swamps, growing at elevations from 20 to 100 meters. Wolffia brasiliensis is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Wolffia brasiliensis Wedd.
Common Name:
Brazilian watermeal
Family: Araceae
Element Code: PMLEM03020
USDA Plants Symbol: WOBR
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb (aquatic)
Blooming Period: Apr-Dec Apr-Dec
Elevation: 20-100 (65-330)
General Habitats: Marshes and swamps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 5
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Butte (BUT), Glenn (GLE), Sutter (SUT), Yuba (YUB)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Camp Far West (3912113), Hamilton City (3912261), Llano Seco (3912158), Ord Ferry (3912168), Pennington (3912137)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
2 33 %
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 1 16%
Waterway bank protection/maintenance 1 16%

Notes

Potentially threatened by competition. See MadroƱo 36(4):283-286 (1989) for first CA occurrence.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 January 2025].