Marsilea drummondii – Nardoo

A widespread aquatic fern, growing often in inland areas and appearing prolifically after floods. Leaves look somewhat like a four leaf clover, with two pairs of leaflets. Grows in water up to one metre deep, growing from a creeping rhizome and reproducing through sporocarps. Great as a plant for the garden pond, it is an attractive aquatic species.
These sporocarps are used as a food by Aborigines, first treated to remove poisonous compounds and then ground and used for dough. It can be toxic to both animals and humans if not prepared properly. Sporocarps are eaten by birds though, including waterfowl, and the plant is spread in this way, among others.
Attracts frogs to the garden, as it provides ideal breeding habitat, as long as no pesticides are used in the water. Propagate by dividing plant root ball.

: Marsilea drummondii – nardoo

Picture provided by Philip Clarke, from his new book Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist

Family:	Marsileaceae
Scientific Name:	Marsilea drummondii
Common Name:	Nardoo
Plant Type:	Aquatic, Fern
Height:	0.1 ~ 0.3 metres
Width:	1 ~ 3 metre
Ph Level:	Acid, Neutral
Soil Type:	Sandy, Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam
Plant Environment:	Low maintenance garden, Courtyard, Container growing
Climate Zone:	Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid
Light:	Sunny, Light shade, Half shade
Planting Season:	All year
Growth Habit:	Evergreen, Spreading
Lifespan:	Perennial
Soil Moisture:	Boggy poorly drained
Special Features:	Bog gardens, Fast growing
Attracts Wildlife:	Seed eating birds

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WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT

Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-

The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW

Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW

IndigiGrow- Sydney- NSW

Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW

Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW

Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW

Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW

Cool Country Natives – ACT

Geelong Native Plants – Victoria

Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria

Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland

Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland