Marsilea hirsuta 'Tiny' Care Guide
Marsilea hirsuta 'Tiny' is a dwarf aquatic clover-fern from Australia forming a low nano carpet, well suited to low-tech tanks.
Overview
Marsilea hirsuta is an aquatic fern of the family Marsileaceae, described by Robert Brown in 1810. It is a widespread Australian species with clover-like fronds. The 'Tiny' selection is a dwarf form with very small simple leaves used as a low foreground carpet.
Taxonomy
- Family: Marsileaceae
- Genus: Marsilea
- Scientific name: Marsilea hirsuta 'Tiny'
- Common name: Nardoo
Habitat
Marsilea hirsuta occurs across flood plains and swamps in Australia. As an amphibious fern it grows both emersed and submersed; its leaf form changes between conditions, and submerged growth tends toward small simple blades rather than the four-lobed clover leaves seen emersed.
Aquarium requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Placement: carpet / foreground
- Maximum height: about 4 cm
As a slow-growing carpet plant it tolerates low-tech conditions without CO2. Stronger light tends to keep leaves small and the carpet low, while lower light may produce taller, more open growth.
Care and growth
Growth rate is slow, which makes the plant low-maintenance once established. A nutrient-rich substrate supports root development and helps the carpet fill in over time.
Propagation
Marsilea hirsuta spreads by runners and a creeping rhizome. New plantlets emerge along the runners, gradually covering the foreground; sections can be separated and replanted to speed coverage.