A new species of Duckweed (Lemna) was discovered in the wild in Britain during 2007 - this is the Red Duckweed (Red Duckweed (Lemna turionifolia Landolt). It was discovered at two separate sites.

It is described in the most recent edition of Watsonia (Vol 27, Part 2) and was an article published by R. Lansdown. In brief, Lansdown states that Red Duckweed was discovered in Dorset in May 2007 then Lincolnshire in July of the same year. It is a native of North America (yet another botanical species to become established from those shores) and northern Asia. Lansdown suggests that this species is overlooked in Britain.

This will need adding to the Species Dictionaries - no doubt the BSBI will provide the relevant information to enable this to happen SOON.

Cheers

Steve