Marsilea drummondii

(Nardoo)

Nardoo is an aquatic perennial rhizomatous fern that is found in all inland areas of all States, except Tasmania. The clover-like fronds float on the surface of shallow water, or the plant can be seen as a more upright terrestrial plant on the water’s edge.

Marsilea drummondii grows in shallow, still or sluggish-flowing water and in seasonally wet habitats. However, it also exists in drying mud and ephemeral flood water.

In ephemeral water bodies, Nardoo dies down leaving a brown matt which includes the pea-like sporocarp which contains the spores. (Refer to the photographs courtesy of the Australian National Botanic Gardens)

These parts were an important source of carbohydrate for indigenous people. As the plants dried out, the hard sporocarps were gathered and ground into flour.

Nardoo is remarkably drought tolerant too. Those same desiccated plants will bounce back to life as the rain comes to fill the water body again.

Reproduction

The fruiting usually occurs on drying mud as water recedes. The spores are contained in the sporocarps, which split only after a long period of immersion in water. Some do not open for many years.

The sporocarps are spread by waterfowl, and rising water, and probably even the wind.

When flooding occurs the sporocarps split to release their spores.

Plants grow rapidly, forming sporocarps within three months.

Home Garden

Nardoo is also an excellent inclusion to the home garden pond. It may need a bit of control as it can grow quite vigorously.

If treated as an aquatic plant, Nardoo will grow green and happy throughout the year.

There are several species of Marsilea, with the species mutica touted as the most attractive with a brown centre on each leaf.

It’s also suitable for tropical or cold-water aquariums.

Sources of information:

Aquatic and Wetland Plants, by Nick Romanowski, 1998, published by the University of New South Wales Press (UNSWP)
Australian Native Plants, by John W. Wrigley and Murray Fagg, 1996, published by Reed New Holland
www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/WfHC/Marsilea-drummondii/index.html

Click here to return to the list.

The information contained on this page is Copyright © SGA and intended for personal use only.
You may not use the information for any other purpose without the express written permission of SGA.