Azolla – Mosquitofern
weed identification
Azolla pinnata is a small free floating fern with a triangular frond measuring up to 2.5cm. The frond is made up of many rounded or angular overlapping leaves each 1 or 2mm long. They are green, blue-green, or dark red in colour and coated in tiny hairs, giving them a velvety appearance. The hairs make the top surface of the leaf water-repellent, keeping the plant afloat even after being pushed under. Roots have fine lateral rootlets, appearing feathery.
Stationary and slow-moving water bodies, especially where nutrients are high. E.g. ornamental ponds, fish ponds, dams, irrigation dams.
It reproduces vegetatively (plant fragments) or by spores. Azolla pinnata is able to undergo rapid vegetative reproduction throughout the year by branches breaking off the main axis. Under ideal conditions an infestation can double in area every 2 days.
It can be dispersed by attaching to animals such as water birds, turtles or livestock, human activity, floods or wind dispersal (spores).
They form a symbiotic relationship with the cyanobacterium Anabaena azollae, which fixes atmospheric nitrogen. The nitrogen-fixing capability of Azolla has led to widespread use as a bio fertiliser, especially in parts of Southeast Asia.
What does Azolla – Mosquitofern look like?
Disadvantages of Azolla – Mosquitofern
Full coverage of a pond or dam by Azolla can cause significant problems such as:
- Stopping oxygen diffusion
- Shades out all submerged vegetation preventing further growth and causing death
- Causes fish and other aquatic life death
- Provides breeding ground for mosquitos
- Changes the water chemistry to favour harmful algae and bacteria
- If left untreated, Azolla can render the water unusable and make treatment far more costly than if initially dealt with
treatment
Orange Oil – Designed to treat free floating organic matter. This treatment is best applied when 20% of the surface water is still visible, and is intended to be used over multiple treatments (day 1, 2 and 4).
AQ200 Aquatic Herbicide + Wetting Agent – Chemical Herbicide designed to kill free floating weeds quickly. Use on mild to severe infestations.
Aquatic Weed Skimmers – Physically remove free floating weeds. Use on mild infestations or to aid herbicide treatments.
Aquatic Harvesting – Large amphibious machine that clears the surface of floating aquatic weeds. Book this service for severe infestations or for larger water bodies.
prevention options
Surface Clear – Creates a protection barrier on the surface of the water to limit plant replication and new infestations forming. Use on its own or after herbicide treatments.
Aerating Fountains – Reduces the severity and likelihood of aquatic weed infestations. Use in any body of water.