Marsilea drummondii Care Guide
Marsilea drummondii, the Australian nardoo, is an aquatic clover fern that forms a low foreground carpet under modest light.
Overview
Marsilea drummondii is an aquatic fern of the family Marsileaceae, known in Australia as nardoo. Its fronds typically bear two pairs of leaflets in a clover-like arrangement. In the aquarium it spreads by a creeping rhizome to form a low foreground carpet.
Taxonomy
- Family: Marsileaceae
- Genus: Marsilea
- Scientific name: Marsilea drummondii
- Common name: nardoo (common nardoo)
Habitat
The species is native to Australia, where it is widespread and common, particularly in inland regions. It inhabits wetlands and can grow in water up to about one metre deep, appearing abundantly after flooding. Plants root in mud, and the foliage floats on quiet water or forms ground carpets as water levels fall.
Tank requirements
- Lighting: medium (genus tolerates lower light)
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 18-28 °C (64-82 °F)
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 4-18 °dGH
- Maximum height: about 8 cm
- Placement: foreground carpet
Planting and care
Marsilea is grown as a carpeting plant: clumps are planted into the substrate, where many roots provide good anchoring. Growth is slow, and the submersed form may show fewer leaflets than the emersed clover shape. It does not require high light intensity, making it suitable for low-tech layouts.
Propagation
Propagation is vegetative, by runners and rhizome division. The creeping rhizome sends up new fronds, gradually expanding the carpet across the substrate.
Difficulty
Rated beginner-friendly. The plant tolerates a wide range of conditions and does not need CO2 injection, though carpeting establishes slowly.