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Azolla caroliniana — Carolina mosquito fern

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Facts

The aquatic fern, Carolina mosquito fern, is native to North American, but it is an uncommon visitor to New England, having been collected in Connecticut and Massachusetts. This tiny, mat-forming plant has been extensively used in wastewater treatment and water pollution mitigation for its ability to absorb heavy metals and radioactivity.

Habitat

Lacustrine (in lakes or ponds), riverine (in rivers or streams), swamps

New England distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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North America distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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Characteristics

Habitat
  • aquatic
  • wetlands
New England state
  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
Show all characteristics
  • Leaves

    Features of leaves
    there are no special features on the leaves
  • Place

    Habitat
    • aquatic
    • wetlands
    New England state
    • Connecticut
    • Massachusetts
    Specific habitat
    • in lakes or ponds
    • in rivers or streams
    • swamps

Wetland status

Occurs only in wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: OBL)

In New England

Distribution

Connecticut
present
Maine
present
Massachusetts
present
New Hampshire
present
Rhode Island
absent
Vermont
absent

Conservation status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.

Massachusetts
unranked (S-rank: SNR)

From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key

1.  Azolla caroliniana Willd. E

Carolina mosquito fern. CT, MA; also reported from NH by Magee and Ahles (1999), but 
voucher specimens are unknown. Still or slow-moving water of lakes, pools, swamps, and streams. Reports of this species from RI were based on a collection taken from a pond 
on the University of Rhode Island campus— Champlin 51 (Champlin Herb.).

Native to North America?

Yes

Family

Azollaceae

Genus

Azolla