Each individual plant is 1-2 cm across, green tinged pink, orange or red at the edges, branching freely, and breaking into smaller sections as it grows. It is not tolerant of cold temperatures, and in temperate regions it largely dies back in winter, surviving by means of submerged buds. Like other species of Azolla, it can fix nitrogen from the air.
The species has been introduced to many regions of the Old World, grown for its nitrogen-fixing ability which can be utilised to enhance the growth rate of crops grown in water like rice, or by removal from lakes for use as green manure. It has become naturalised, sometimes also an invasive species, in several regions, including western Europe, southern Africa, tropical Asia, Australia (where it is considered native), and New Zealand.
This post is part of the Friday Greens meme.
Wonderfull green in a impressive motive !
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