Common Nardoo
Marsilea drummondii
Family: Marsileaceae
What it is like
A fern which looks like a four leafed clover. The new leaflets are covered with long silver hairs. It grows 2-30 cm high. The rootstock is long and creeping. It is branched. The stalks are 2-30 cm long and clustered on the underground rootstock. The leaflets are 1-4 cm long by 0.5-1.2 cm wide. They are broadly oval or wedge shaped. They can be grey or silver and can have hairs. The leaf that bears spores is 1-6 cm long. The capsule is 0.5-1 cm long. There are about 2 teeth at the base.
There are about 50-60 Marsilea species.
Where it is found
A tropical and subtropical plant. It can grow in moist soil or grow in ponds where the leaves float on the water. It grows in inland Australia. It tolerates most frosts. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The sporocarps which contain the spores are ground into flour. They are cooked. The roots are ground into a dough and then cooked. CAUTION: Because there are toxins, this food needs special preparation.
Edible parts
Seeds, spores, roots
How it is grown
Plants are grown by division. The spore bodies can dry out and grow after rain.
Its other names
Local names
Dullum dullum