Invasive species Lemna L. (Lemnaceae) in the flora of Bulgaria

Abstract

Background and Purpose: During the investigations of flora of Bulgaria new species from genus Lemna have been found in Bulgaria.

Materials and methods: They were conducted during the period 2010 - 2015 for which purpose we explored diverse pools in different parts of Bulgaria (hot and cold swamps, spillages of rivers and streams, hot mineral waters). The species were determined by Flora of North America.

Results: In the flora of Bulgaria we found the following new (invasive) species L. minuta Kunth., L. obscura (Austin) Daubs, L. perpusilla Torr., L. turionifera Landolt, L. valdiviana Philipi.  Their morphology, chorology and ecology was recorded and data about the accompanying species are also given.

Conclusion: Finding these Lemna species in several distant locations in our country is a clear indication that the species is transferred on the territory of Bulgaria a long time ago. The species are most likely invading from neighboring fields in Southeast Europe - Greece, Romania, Turkey and others.