Azolla caroliniana	No. 013

Family Azollaceae   Continent North America   Region   Country of origin   Height 1-2 cm   Width 5-10+ cm   Light requirements medium-very high   Temperature 5-26 °C   Hardness tolerance very soft-hard   pH tolerance 6-8   Growth medium   Demands difficult

Azolla caroliniana is a small floating fern housing blue-green algae in its leaves. These algae are capable of absorbing nitrogen from the air, which can then be used by the plant. Azolla caroliniana has become a menace all over the tropics, because it covers lakes and deprives the original aquatic plants of light. Used as nitrogen fertiliser in rice paddies, and as animal feed. There are several related varieties on the market, with similar appearance. A decorative plant for open aquariums.

 

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