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Elatine minima facts for kids

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Elatine minima
Scientific classification

Elatine minima is a tiny flowering plant that grows in water. It belongs to the plant family called Elatinaceae. This small plant is native to parts of North America.

What is Elatine minima?

Elatine minima is a type of plant species that loves wet places. It often grows in shallow water, like the edges of ponds, lakes, or slow-moving streams. Because it's so small, it can sometimes be hard to spot!

Where Does This Plant Live?

This interesting plant is found in several regions across Canada and the United States.

In Canada

You can find Elatine minima in eastern Canada. This includes Newfoundland island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.

In the United States

In the United States, it grows in a few different areas:

How Was Elatine minima Discovered?

Scientists have been studying and naming plants for a long time. This plant was first described by a scientist named Thomas Nuttall.

Its First Name

Thomas Nuttall first described this plant in 1817. He gave it the scientific name Crypta minima. Scientists often give plants names based on their features or where they were found.

Its Current Name

Later, in 1836, other scientists decided that Crypta minima actually fit better into a different group of plants. So, they moved it to the Elatine group, and that's how it got its current name, Elatine minima. This shows how scientific understanding can change and improve over time!

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