Taxon: Azolla filiculoides Lam.

Summary

Genus:

Azolla

Family:

Salviniaceae

Nomen number:

400375

Place of publication:

Encycl. 1:343. 1783

Protologue link:

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/716935

Verified:

10/07/1994 ARS Systematic Botanists.

Accessions:

0 (0 active, 0 available) in National Plant Germplasm System.

Other conspecific taxa

Autonyms (not in current use), synonyms and invalid designations

Autonym(s)
Azolla filiculoides Lam. var. filiculoides

No images

Conservation Status

Reference(s)

Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource)
Allan, H. H. B. et al. 1961-. Flora of New Zealand.
APHIS. Agricultural Risk Management System United States Department of Agriculture.
Arnold, T. H. & B. C. De Wet, eds. 1993. Plants of southern Africa: names and distribution. Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa no. 62 Note: natzd.
Botanical Society of the British Isles. BSBI taxon database (on-line resource).
Cabrera, A. L., dir. 1977-. Flora de la provincia de Jujuy, República Argentina.
Davidse, G. et al., eds. 1994. Flora mesoamericana.
FNA Editorial Committee. 1993-. Flora of North America.
Hanelt, P., ed. 2001. Mansfeld's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops. Volumes 1-6
Henderson, L. 2001. Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute, Handbook 12
Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening
Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS). Australian plant common name database (on-line resource).
Lumpkin, T. A. & D. L. Pluknett. 1980. Azolla: botany, physiology, and use of a green manure. Econ. Bot. 34:111-153.
Madeira, P. T. et al. 2013. Identity and origins of introduced and native Azolla species in Florida. Aquatic Bot. 111:9-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.aquabot.2013.07.009.
Madeira, P. T. et al. 2016. Molecular identification of Azolla invasions in Africa: the Azolla specialist, Stenopelmus rufinasus proves to be an excellent taxonomist. S. African J. Bot. 105:299-305. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2016.03.007.
Mickel, J. T. & A. R. Smith. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88:1-1054.
Talley, S. N. & D. W. Rains. 1980. Azolla filiculoides Lam. as a fallow-season green manure for rice in a temperate climate. Agron. J. 72:11-18.
Tryon, R. M. et al. 1994. Part VI. (22. Marsileaceae - 28. Isoetaceae). In: Tryon, R. M. & R. G. Stolze, eds., Pteridophyta of Peru. Fieldiana, Botany new ser. 34:11.
Tutin, T. G. et al., eds. 1964-1980. Flora europaea. Note: natzd.
Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds
Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994-. Flora of China (English edition). 3:(in press) Note: escaping cult.

Common names

Language	Name	seq	Citation
English	azolla	1	Allan, H. H. B. et al. 1961-. Flora of New Zealand.
English	large mosquito fern	1	Talley, S. N. & D. W. Rains. 1980. Azolla filiculoides Lam. as a fallow-season green manure for rice in a temperate climate. Agron. J. 72:11-18.
English	Pacific azolla	1	Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS). Australian plant common name database (on-line resource).
English	red azolla	1	Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS). Australian plant common name database (on-line resource).
English	red-water fern	1	Henderson, L. 2001. Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute, Handbook 12
English	water fern	1	Botanical Society of the British Isles. BSBI taxon database (on-line resource).
Afrikaans	rooiwatervaring	2	Henderson, L. 2001. Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute, Handbook 12
Swedish	mossbräken	2	Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource)

Distribution

order_code	Status	Continent	Subcontinent	Country	State	Note	Reference
1	Native	Northern America	Northern Mexico	Mexico	Baja California (Norte)		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Northern Mexico	Mexico	Chihuahua		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Northern Mexico	Mexico	Sinaloa		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Northwestern U.S.A.	United States	Oregon		FNA Editorial Committee. 1993-. Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Ciudad de México		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Colima		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Guanajuato		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Guerrero		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Hidalgo		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Jalisco		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	México		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Michoacán de Ocampo		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Morelos		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Oaxaca		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Puebla		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Querétaro		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Tabasco		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Tlaxcala		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave		Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
1	Native	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	Arizona		FNA Editorial Committee. 1993-. Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southwestern U.S.A.	United States	California	w.	FNA Editorial Committee. 1993-. Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Western Canada	Canada	British Columbia		FNA Editorial Committee. 1993-. Flora of North America.
1	Native	Pacific	North-Central Pacific	United States	Hawaii
1	Native	Southern America	Brazil	Brazil
1	Native	Southern America	Central America	Costa Rica			Davidse, G. et al., eds. 1994. Flora mesoamericana.
1	Native	Southern America	Central America	Guatemala			Davidse, G. et al., eds. 1994. Flora mesoamericana.
1	Native	Southern America	Central America	Honduras			Davidse, G. et al., eds. 1994. Flora mesoamericana.
1	Native	Southern America	Central America	Nicaragua			Davidse, G. et al., eds. 1994. Flora mesoamericana.
1	Native	Southern America	Northern South America	Venezuela
1	Native	Southern America	Southern South America	Argentina
1	Native	Southern America	Southern South America	Chile
1	Native	Southern America	Southern South America	Paraguay
1	Native	Southern America	Western South America	Bolivia
1	Native	Southern America	Western South America	Colombia
1	Native	Southern America	Western South America	Ecuador
1	Native	Southern America	Western South America	Peru
2	Cultivated	Asia-Temperate	China	China			Hanelt, P., ed. 2001. Mansfeld's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops. Volumes 1-6
2	Cultivated	Asia-Temperate	Eastern Asia	Korea			Hanelt, P., ed. 2001. Mansfeld's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops. Volumes 1-6
4	Naturalized	Africa	Southern Africa	South Africa			Arnold, T. H. & B. C. De Wet, eds. 1993. Plants of southern Africa: names and distribution. Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa no. 62 Note: natzd.
4	Naturalized	Asia-Temperate	China	China			Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994-. Flora of China (English edition). 3:(in press) Note: escaping cult.
4	Naturalized	Australasia	Australia	Australia
4	Naturalized	Australasia	New Zealand	New Zealand
4	Naturalized	Europe		Europe

Native
Northern America

WESTERN CANADA: Canada [British Columbia]
NORTHWESTERN U.S.A.: United States [Oregon]
SOUTHWESTERN U.S.A.: United States [Arizona, California (w.)]
NORTHERN MEXICO: Mexico [Baja California (Norte), Chihuahua, Sinaloa]
SOUTHERN MEXICO: Mexico [Ciudad de México, Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave]

Pacific

NORTH-CENTRAL PACIFIC: United States [Hawaii]

Southern America

CENTRAL AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA: Venezuela
BRAZIL: Brazil
WESTERN SOUTH AMERICA: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay

Cultivated
Asia-Temperate

CHINA: China
EASTERN ASIA: Korea

Naturalized
Africa

SOUTHERN AFRICA: South Africa

Asia-Temperate

CHINA: China

Australasia

AUSTRALIA: Australia
NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand

Europe

REGION: Europe

Reference(s)

Arnold, T. H. & B. C. De Wet, eds. 1993. Plants of southern Africa: names and distribution. Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa no. 62 Note: natzd.
Davidse, G. et al., eds. 1994. Flora mesoamericana.
FNA Editorial Committee. 1993-. Flora of North America.
Hanelt, P., ed. 2001. Mansfeld's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops. Volumes 1-6
Villaseñor, J. L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodivers. 87:587. DOI: 10.1016/j.mb.2016.06.017.
Wu Zheng-yi & P. H. Raven et al., eds. 1994-. Flora of China (English edition). 3:(in press) Note: escaping cult.

Economic Uses

Usage	Type	Reference
Animal food	fodder	Hanelt, P., ed. 2001. Mansfeld's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops. Volumes 1-6
Environmental	ornamental	Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening
Environmental	soil improver	Huxley, A., ed. 1992. The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening
Environmental	soil improver	Talley, S. N. & D. W. Rains. 1980. Azolla filiculoides Lam. as a fallow-season green manure for rice in a temperate climate. Agron. J. 72:11-18.
Weed		Weber, E. 2003. Invasive plant species of the world: a reference guide to environmental weeds
Weed		Henderson, L. 2001. Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute, Handbook 12

Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=400375. Accessed 10 October 2026.