Carolina Mosquitofern
(Azolla caroliniana)
Carolina Mosquitofern (Azolla caroliniana)
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mfeaver
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
mfeaver
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: mfeaver | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: mfeaver | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-12-30T15:18:44-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Azolla caroliniana, commonly known as Carolina Mosquitofern, is an annual herb native to a variety of freshwater habitats including wetlands, marshes, and slow-moving water bodies in the Americas. It thrives in both shaded and sunny conditions, often forming dense mats on the water’s surface. This aquatic fern has scale-like fronds that are 5–10 mm long and can range in color from green to reddish, typically turning redder in strong light and during winter months. The plant’s diminutive size and floating habit make it a popular choice for water gardens, ponds, and aquaria.
Carolina Mosquitofern is valued for its ease of maintenance and its ability to improve water quality by absorbing nutrients and providing shade that can reduce algae growth. It is also an excellent bio-fertilizer due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, which can significantly benefit crops like rice when grown concurrently. In cultivation, it prefers calm, freshwater environments and can survive winter water temperatures down to 5 °C (41 degrees Fahrenheit), with optimal growth occurring at summer temperatures between 25–30 °C (77-86 degrees Fahrenheit). While it is propagated easily by division, care must be taken as Azolla caroliniana can become invasive outside its native range, potentially outcompeting native species and altering aquatic ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Carolina Mosquitofern is valued for its ease of maintenance and its ability to improve water quality by absorbing nutrients and providing shade that can reduce algae growth. It is also an excellent bio-fertilizer due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, which can significantly benefit crops like rice when grown concurrently. In cultivation, it prefers calm, freshwater environments and can survive winter water temperatures down to 5 °C (41 degrees Fahrenheit), with optimal growth occurring at summer temperatures between 25–30 °C (77-86 degrees Fahrenheit). While it is propagated easily by division, care must be taken as Azolla caroliniana can become invasive outside its native range, potentially outcompeting native species and altering aquatic ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Fern
- Height: 0.1-0.2 feet
- Width: 0.1-0.2 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Aquatic
- Drainage: Standing
Common Uses
Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Freshwater habitats including wetlands, marshes, and slow-moving water bodies
Other Names
Common Names: Mosquito Fern, Mosquito-Plant, Fairy-Moss, Carolina Azolla, Carolina Mosquito Fern, Eastern Mosquito Fern, Azolla De Caroline, Azolle De Caroline, Kleiner Algenfarn
Scientific Names: , Azolla caroliniana, Azolla bonariensis, Azolla densa, Azolla portoricensis, Carpanthus axillaris, Salvinia azolla,
GBIF Accepted Name: Azolla caroliniana Willd.