Nardoo

Nardoo near Cameron Corner
Marsilea drummondii or Nardoo showing small brown spore cases
Emus feeding on Nardoo near Boulia, Qld.
Silvery grey Marsilea growing near bright green clover
Family: Marsileaceae
Genus: Marsilea
Species: drummondii
Main Flower Colour: Other
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Description

Burke and Wills tried to live on Nardoo when they returned to the Dig Tree. Unfortunately they didn't know how to prepare it so that it was nutritious. Marsilea is an aquatic fern that is adapted to desert conditions. It is found in all states of Australia, growing in shallow water or damp ground. It has a rhizome from which fronds arise with leaflets that look like a 4-leaf clover. Spores are held in a small spore capsule. Being a fern, it does not produce flowers.

Identification

The main flower colour is other. 4-leaf clover leaves that are furry.

Uses

Aborigines ground the spore capsules to make a flour for baking. Now used as an aquarium plant.

References

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=gn&name=Marsilea
http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2004/marsilea-drummondii.html
WildflowerID270
Views (per week)32
Views19243

Location

Bio Regions

Carnarvon (CAR), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP)

Region Specifics

Common in desert or semi desert areas when and where there is some moisture.

Related Blogs

The following are links to Members' Blogs that contain the words "Nardoo" OR "Marsilea" OR "Marsileaceae". Creating Blogs is restricted to Members only. Not a Member? Join here.

Showing 2 blogs.

Following the Big Wet - 2011 Trip – Part 6: Sturt National Park to the Flinders Ranges.

Member: Member - John and Val  Search Rank: 154

Next morning we took the opportunity of some fine (but still grey) weather to do a bit or repacking so we didn’t get on the road until late in the morning....

Created: 11 Oct 2011 20:30

1989

Nardoo or Marsilea drummondii

Member: Member - John and Val 

. Nardoo has a place in Australian history because it’s what Burke & Wills were eating when they starved to death on Cooper Creek. What is it and what does it look like?...

Created: 05 Nov 1989 16:48

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