Azolla, Pacific mosquitofern
Azolla filiculoides
Family: Azollaceae
What it is like
Azolla filiculoides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.
Height (m): 0.1
Where it is found
Stagnant and slow moving waters.
Western N. America
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
The plant is an exceedingly good source of nitrogen-rich biomass that can be used as a fertilizer or can be added to the compost heap. Dynamic accumulator.
Green manure: Fast-growing plants that can be used to increase the fertility of the soil.
Soil conditioner: Plants grown to improve the structure of the soil. See also Green manures.
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Requires a sunny or lightly shaded position in still or slowly flowing water. Plants are not very cold tolerant, surviving overwintering in colder winter areas by means of submerged resting buds. Plants seldom reproduce by spores. This species has a symbiotic relationship with an algae which fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
Propagating it: Seed -
Best place to grow: Pond;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Water