What is the plant Azolla

1. What is Azolla?

Azolla is a small floating plant of the Azolla family and the Azolla genus. It is a type of fern and is also called triangular algae, purple algae, red duckweed, etc. This plant floats on the water surface and is mostly oval or triangular in shape, with a slender rhizome and many roots. Its leaves are alternate and green at first, turning into purple-red in autumn.

2. The growth environment of Azolla

Azolla often coexists with Anabaena. It reproduces quickly, has high yield and strong adaptability. It usually grows in rice fields, ponds, reservoirs and inland lakes. It has relatively high requirements for temperature conditions during its growth period, and temperatures that are too high or too low will affect its growth. Growth stops when the temperature drops below 5 degrees or rises above 40 degrees. It starts to grow between 8 and 12 degrees, grows fastest between 15 and 20 degrees, and grows slowly above 35 degrees. Also, pay attention to the pH level of the water. It can grow in water with a pH value of 3.5-10, but the optimal pH value is 6.5-7.5.

3. Distribution of Azolla

Azolla is widely distributed in the Yangtze River Basin and various provinces and regions in the north and south, including Hebei, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Central China, East China, Sichuan, Gansu, Liaoning and other regions. It is also distributed in Japan, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the Korean Peninsula.