Nardoo Clumps for Sale
QLD NSW VIC ONLY
Nardoo
Marsilea drummondi
Form and Function: WE take Plugs of Nardoo Plant and Soil (about 70 mm deep) and place intact into a long box 400 mm long x 170 mm x 170. You then plant the Plugs direct into waters edge around your dam. We only harvest fresh living plants.
Water Fern: resembles a four leaf clover. On dry land nardoo is about 150 mm tall. Grows in areas that are periodically covered with shallow water (up to 300mm deep). Ideal for planting on edges of ponded water and in adgingbongs swales.
Fodder: Grazing animals will eat in conjunction with grasses, considered safe in low quantities, animals seem to modify consumption as needed.
Mulch: Self mulches as it dries off.
People: Parts of the plant were once prepared by inland Aboriginal People as a flour, which without treatment is toxic.
Planting Window: Plant year round into wet soil. Plant protection is provided by covering plant with soil to establish. Can rapidly multiply with warm weather and water.
Maturity: A single clump rapidly spreads when growing conditions are ideal, Viz; wet and warm. Up to 500 fold increase every 2-3 years. It only spreads to its natural habitat, so it can’t escape into non waterlogged soil. Forms a soft thick sward if conditions are ideal. Once established plants will die off in dry times, remaining dormant in the soil, waiting for flood rain.
Suitable Soil Type: Naturally occurs in heavy black alluvial soils. Has failed to thrive in lighter soils if grown in swale. Has grown well in clay dam walls dug in lighter box soil country.
Planting Methods: Dig a shallow on edge of water. Backfill and cover plant with soil. Water in. Provide weekly water until you see it start to prosper. Assist establishment by division and replanting little pieces far and wide. Nardoo prospers best with periodic inunadations, So if growing in a tub, let it dry out occassionally. Nardoo grows best where it has good sunlight. Tall grasses will reduce its vigour.
PHOTO 1: Nardoo on Edge of Waterhole. Date of Photo Sept. 2022
PHOTO 2: Nardoo dries off over Winter. Grazing is part of a process to encourage short groundcover. Sheep and cattle will eat some (but not much) Nardoo when it is fresh. Date of Photo. August 2022
PHOTO 2a: Same scene from Photo 2. Almost total coverage across adgingbong. By end of Autumn 2023 this entire water section will be covered with Nardoo if it keeps raining. Date of Photo: Nov. 2022
PHOTO 3: Spreads rapidly in ponds
PHOTO 4: Continues to grow in dry ground
