Azolla (Mosquito Fern)

Each portion will contain 40-50 plantlets .

Can post for $2 standard or $7.5 express

Very easy to grow, fights algae and keeps water clean

Mosquito Fern (Azolla Filiculoides) is a very interesting plant to enhance a the aquarium or pond. Aside from basically taking care of itself, this fern can be extremely beneficial to its environment as well as other plants. Many hobbyists use this vibrant plant as a way to decorate their tanks. Mosquito Fern’s floating nature gives any enclosure a versatile and dynamic look.

Besides Mosquito Fern, Azolla Filiculoides is also referred to as Water Fern, Large Mosquito Fern, and Red Water Fern. Due to it’s rapid and mat-type growth, it is an excellent plant for supplying shade and protection over large areas of water. In fact, Mosquito Fern earned its name due to its ability to shield habitats from mosquitoes. The thick, living carpet repels and prevents mosquitoes and many other insects from penetrating through and laying their eggs in open water.

Azolla Filiculoides is normally cultivated for its agricultural value as well as its decorative use. This fern has the unique ability to pull nitrogen from the air. There are photosynthetic bacteria, called Anabaena Azollae, that live within the leaves of the fern. These bacteria have the ability to turn atmospheric nitrogen into nitrate fertilizer. When the plant dies, the nitrate fertilizer is released and can be used by other surrounding plants.

Description

Mosquito Fern is a very small aquatic plant that often grows less than 1-inch long. Although it is not duckweed, it has some very similar characteristics and features. This fern’s leaves grow in two rotating rows on each side of the stem. The thick and quilted look of the leaves hides the plant’s stem, which has a single root growing from it. A series of tiny scales growing from the leaves is what gives the aquatic fern the ability to float on the surface of the water.

Much like duckweed, Mosquito Fern will vary in color depending on its environment and age. Newer leaves that have recently sprouted are often bright green and as they begin to age they will turn a reddish/pinkish color.