Azolla Filiculoides

Description

Azolla Filiculoides is a tiny, free-floating fern that belongs to the Azollaceae family. This aquatic plant is popularly known as water fern, mosquito fern, or duckweed fern. This fern is native to the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is found in freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. This fern is known for its ability to fix nitrogen, which makes it a valuable plant in agriculture.

Taxonomic Information

Appearance

Azolla Filiculoides is a small, floating fern that forms dense mats on the surface of the water. It has small leaves called fronds that are arranged in a fern-like manner. The fronds are about 1-2 cm long and are bright green in color. These fronds have a small cavity that houses a symbiotic blue-green alga called Anabaena azollae, which helps in nitrogen fixation. This fern also has small roots that are used to anchor it to the substrate.

Care Guide

Water

Azolla Filiculoides is an aquatic plant that requires freshwater to thrive. The water should be free from pollutants and should be changed frequently to prevent the buildup of toxins.

Fertilization

Azolla Filiculoides does not require fertilization as it has the ability to fix nitrogen. However, adding a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer can help in increasing its growth rate.

Soil

As Azolla Filiculoides is a floating fern, it does not require soil to grow. It can be grown in shallow water bodies without any substrate.

Sunlight

Azolla Filiculoides prefers partial to full sunlight. It should be kept in a place where it receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.

Hardiness Zones

Azolla Filiculoides can be grown in hardiness zones 4-11.

Common Pests & Diseases

Azolla Filiculoides is not known to be susceptible to any pests or diseases.

Habitat

Azolla Filiculoides is found in freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. It is native to the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Question and Answer

Q: What is the nutritional value of Azolla Filiculoides?

A: Azolla Filiculoides is a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is particularly high in iron, which makes it a valuable food source for vegetarians and vegans.

Q: Is Azolla Filiculoides easy to cultivate?

A: Yes, Azolla Filiculoides is easy to cultivate and grows rapidly under favorable conditions.

Q: Can Azolla Filiculoides be used in agriculture?

A: Yes, Azolla Filiculoides is used in agriculture as a green manure, biofertilizer, and livestock feed.

Q: Is Azolla Filiculoides invasive?

A: Azolla Filiculoides can become invasive if not controlled properly. It can form dense mats on the surface of the water, which can lead to a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels, affecting aquatic life.

Related Plants

• Azolla caroliniana
• Azolla mexicana
• Azolla pinnata
• Azolla rubra

References

• Brouwer, P., Braker, O. U., & Laan, P. (2018). Azolla: A review of its biology and utilization. The Botanical Review, 84(2), 176-223.
• Cheng, J., & Xu, X. (2019). Azolla: a biogeochemical perspective. Journal of experimental botany, 70(9), 2463-2471.
• Wagner, G. M., & Fawley, M. W. (2019). The Azolla story: a remarkable plant–an extraordinary tool for sustainability of the planet. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10, 1559.