MARSILEACEAE
D.L.Jones 1
Small aquatic subaquatic or palustral annual or perennial ferns forming spreading clumps.
Rhizome short- to long-creeping, slender, much-branched, bearing scales. Sterile fronds with
2 or 4 apical leaflets or leafless and consisting of the stipe only; leaflets, when present,
spreading in opposite pairs. Sori borne within sporocarps, indusiate; sporocarps sessile or
stalked, solitary or in groups at or near the base of the stipe; megasporangia (containing
megaspores) and microsporangia (containing microspores) in the same sorus. Spores lacking
chlorophyll.
A family of three genera and c. 66 species. Two genera native to Australia.
I have interpreted the spore-bearing organs of this family as being derived from highly
modified pinnae fused at the margins to form a conceptacle (commonly called a capsule)
which contains the sori. The term sporocarp is applicable to this structure, including the
supporting stalk.
R.E.G.Pichi-Sermolli, Tentamen Pteridophytorum genera, in taxonomicum ordinum redigeni,
Webbia 31: 313–512 (1977); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 239–243 (1990); P.G.Wilson,
Marsileaceae, in G.J.Harden (ed.), Fl. New South Wales 1: 69–71 (1990); T.J.Entwisle,
Marsileaceae, in N.G.Walsh & T.J.Entwisle (eds), Fl. Victoria 2: 54–57 (1994).
KEY TO GENERA
Stipe with 4 apical leaflets
1. MARSILEA
Stipe without leaflets
2. PILULARIA
1. MARSILEA
Marsilea L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1099 (1753); named after Luigi Marsili (1656–1730), Italian
naturalist.
Type: M. quadrifolia L.
Rhizome long-creeping, bearing nodal roots and peltate apical scales. Sterile fronds borne at
the nodes, solitary or clustered, erect on plants growing in mud, floating when gr owing in
water, consisting of a slender stipe and 2 pairs of spreading glabrous or scaly terminal
leaflets resembling a 4-leaf clover (sometimes reduced to 1 erect leaflet in juvenile growth);
outer margin entire or crenate; venation anastomosing, forming narrow areoles without
included veinlets. Sporocarps stalked, solitary or clustered; conceptacles spherical or
laterally flattened, smooth or ribbed, glabrous or scaly, often toothed near the junction with
the stalk. Nardoo.
A widely distributed genus of c. 60 species occurring in tropical and temperate regions. Eight
species occur in Australia; six endemic.
Marsilea commonly grows in shallow water in seasonally wet habitats. Plants may be
submerged and rooted in the mud with floating leaflets, partially emergent on the margins of
water or in wet to drying mud; less commonly also in moist grassland. Most species produce
sporocarps as their habitat dries. Spores of some species retain viability within the sporocarp
for nearly 70 years; thus species can survive in areas of infrequent rainfall. Sporocarps are
1
Australian National Herbarium, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601.
MARSILEACEAE
1. Marsilea
probably dispersed by waterfowl since they pass undamaged through their digestive tract.
They are very rich in thiaminase, an extremely heat-resistant enzyme which breaks down
vitamin B 1. Members of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition (1860–1861) suffered a
marked decline in health from vitamin deficiency which was severely exacerbated by the
nardoo diet.
A.Allsop, Longevity of Marsilea sporocarps, Nature 169: 79–80 (1952); C.R.Malone &
V.W.Proctor, Dispersal of Marsilea mucronata by water birds, Amer. Fern J. 55: 167–170
(1965); H.I.Aston, Aquatic Pl. Australia 35–41 (1973); B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns &
Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 218–223 (1986); M.Grant, Marsilea poisoning
in 19th century Australia, Pteridologist 2: 6 (1995).
1
Stalks of the sporocarps much longer than the conceptacles
2
Stalks of the sporocarps usually branched; conceptacles lacking basal
teeth
2:
Stalks of the sporocarps usually unbranched; conceptacles with 1 or 2
teeth near the junction with the stalk
3
Sporocarp stalks 10–50 mm long; conceptacles oblong, 4–9 mm long
3:
Sporocarp stalks 4–6 mm long; conceptacles ellipsoidal to obovoid, 3–
4 mm long
1:
1. M. mutica
2. M. drummondii
3. M. latzii
Stalks of the sporocarps c. as long as the conceptacles
4
Conceptacles to 3 mm long
5
Conceptacles ribbed; upper surface concave
5:
Conceptacles not ribbed; upper surface convex
4:
4. M. costulifera
6. M. crenata
Conceptacles more than 4 mm long
6
Leaflets mostly narrowly cuneate; conceptacles with a single upper
tooth and a second lower protuberance formed by the top of the
capsule stalk
6:
Leaflets broadly obovate to broadly cuneate; conceptacles with 2 basal
teeth
7
Basal teeth ±equal; conceptacle flat to convex above
7:
Basal teeth unequal, the lower one longer and often recurved;
conceptacle flat to concave above
5. M. angustifolia
7. M. hirsuta
8. M. exarata
1. Marsilea mutica Mett., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., sér. 4, 15: 88 (1861)
T: Lieux inonde a Kanala, New Caledonia, 1855–1860, Vieillard 1698; holo: P; iso: P, fide M.D.Tindale,
Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 2(1): 8 (1953).
Marsilea brownii A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 418 (1836).
T: Port Jackson, [Sydney,
N.S.W.], 1802–1805, R.Brown Iter Austral. 137; holo: BM; iso: K n.v., fide M.D.Tindale, Contr. New South
Wales Natl. Herb. 2(1): 11 (1953).
[Marsilea quadrifolia auct. non L.; R.Brown in M.Flinders, Voy. Terr. Austral. 2: 593 (1814)]
Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 219, fig. 21.2
(1986); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 242, fig. 22.1F (1990); M.Garrett, Ferns Tasmania. Ecol. & Distrib.
112, photo 111 (1996).
Rhizome much-branched, glabrous. Fronds solitary or clustered, 5–90 cm long. Stipes
glabrous. Leaflets broadly obovate to broadly cuneate, 25–45 mm long, 20–40 mm wide
(smaller in terrestrial forms), often streaked with brown false veins between the true veins on
the lower surface, green distally, yellow-green proximally, separated by a brown zone,
glabrous (a few basal scales in terrestrial forms); outer margin rounded, entire. Sporocarps in
groups of 2–4; stalks 10–20 mm long, branched 1–3 times (rarely unbranched), arising at or
near the base of the stipe, glabrous or with a few basal scales; conceptacles globose, 3 –6 mm
long, glabrous to densely scaly; basal teeth absent. Smooth Nardoo. Figs 19, 56K–L.
MARSILEACEAE
1. Marsilea
Occurs in near-coastal localities (less commonly inland) in northern W.A., N.T., eastern Qld,
south-eastern N.S.W., A.C.T., south-eastern Vic. (naturalised) and southern Tas; also in New
Caledonia. Commonly grown as an aquatic in ponds. Map 137.
W.A.: 4 km NE of Bungle Bungle Outcamp, S.J.Forbes 2691 (CANB, MEL, PERTH).
N.T.: Mo-ra-gan
Lagoon, Murganella, D.L.Jones 1369 (BRI, CANB, DNA, MEL).
Qld: Stony Ck, near top of falls,
Blackdown Tableland, I.R.Telford 5753 (BRI, CANB).
N.S.W.: Old Man Bed Swamp, 4.5 km SE of
Moruya, M.P.Austin 172 (CANB, NSW).
A.C.T.: Sullivans Ck, entrance to L. Burley Griffin,
F. Grossbechler (CANB). Vic.: 4.6 km ENE of Stratford, H.I.Aston 1857 (MEL). Tas.: Huon Rd, 1 km N
of Geeveston, P.H.Raven 4588 & D.Morris (CANB, HO).
Aquatic specimens are larger than those on drying mud, and nearly glabrous.
2. Marsilea drummondii A.Braun, Linnaea 25: 721 (1853)
Zaluzianskia drummondii (A.Braun) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 823 (1891).
J.Drummond; holo: ?B n.v.
T: Swan River, [W.A.],
Marsilea drummondii var. megalophylla A.Braun, Linnaea 25: 721 (1853); M. nardu var. megalophylla
(A.Braun) A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 737 (1870).
T: near Nelsabe [Nelshaby], S.A.,
F.Mueller; holo: ?B n.v.
Marsilea drummondii var. minor A.Braun, Linnaea 25: 721 (1853); M. sericea A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch.
Akad. Wiss. Berlin 734 (1870); M. drummondii var. sericea (A.Braun) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 217
(1913). T: Dombey [Tumby] Bay, S.A., von Wilhelm [C.F.J.Wilhelmi]; holo: ?B n.v.
Marsilea macropus Hook., Cent. Ferns t. 9 (1854).
A.Cunningham; holo: ?K n.v.
T: Lachlan R. and Liverpool Plains [N.S.W.],
Marsilea salvatrix Hanst., Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 105, t. 21 (1862); M. drummondii var.
salvatrix (Hanst.) A.Braun, Index Semin. Hort. Bot. Berolin. App. 3: (1867).
T: northern Australia,
R.Schomburgk; holo: ?B n.v.
Marsilea salvatrix Currey, J. Bot. 1: 163 (1863), nom. illeg.
collected by Dr Moore; holo: ?K n.v.
T: locality not known; cult. from a sporocarp
Marsilea drummondii var. elata A.Braun, Index Semin. Hort. Bot. Berol., Append., 3 (1867); M. elata
(A.Braun) A.Braun, Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., sér. 5, 9: 381 (1868); M. drummondii var. elata (A.Braun) Baker,
J. Bot. 24: 282 (1886), nom. illeg. T: Australia, 1861, Mackinley; holo: ?B n.v.
Marsilea drummondii var. macra A.Braun, Index Semin. Hort. Bot. Berol., Append., 3 (1867); M. macra
(A.Braun) A.Braun, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 5, 9: 380 (1868); M. drummondii f. macra (A.Braun) Domin,
Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 217 (1913). T: Stockes Ra. and Coopers Ck, Australia, 1866, F.Mueller; holo: ?B n.v.
Marsilea hirsutissima A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 736 (1870); M. drummondii var.
hirsutissima (A.Braun) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 216 (1913).
T: Wills Ck, Qld, 1861, Dr Murray
(Howitt Expedition); holo: ?B n.v.
Marsilea howittiana A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 734 (1870); M. drummondii var.
howittiana (A.Braun) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 216 (1913).
T: road to Coopers Ck, [Qld], 1861, Dr
Murray (Howitt Expedition); holo: ?B n.v.
Marsilea nardu A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 736 (1870); M. drummondii var. nardu
(A.Braun) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 217 (1913).
T: Lachlan R. and Liverpool Plains, [N.S.W.],
A.Cunningham; eastern subtropical New Holland, T.Mitchell; Darling Downs, [Qld], J.Dallachy & Goodwin;
syn: ?B, ?K both n.v.
Marsilea oxaloides A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 736 (1870); M. drummondii var.
oxaloides (A.Braun) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 217 (1913).
T: Swan River, [W.A.], J.Drummond 398
(herb. Hook.); holo: ?K n.v.
Illustrations: G.R.Sainty & S.W.L.Jacobs, Waterpl. New South Wales 296–297 (1981); B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac,
Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 220, fig. 21.3A–D (1986); S.B.Andrews, Ferns
Queensland 240, fig. 22.1A (1990).
Rhizome much-branched, with dense brownish scales towards the tips. Fronds 2 –30 cm long,
solitary or clustered. Stipes glabrous or scaly. Leaflets broadly obovate to broadly cuneate,
10–35 mm long, 3–10 mm wide, glabrous or scaly; outer margin rounded, entire to deeply
crenate. Sporocarps solitary or clustered; stalks 10–50 mm long, unbranched, 2–10 times the
length of the conceptacle, glabrous to scaly; conceptacles oblong, 4–9 mm long, densely
scaly, faintly to distinctly ribbed; upper basal tooth triangular, acute; lower basal tooth
longer, obtuse. Common Nardoo. Fig. 56A–B.
MARSILEACEAE
1. Marsilea
Endemic to inland areas of western W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W. and Vic.; grows in
shallow still or sluggishly moving water. Map 138.
W.A.: 1 km S of Salmon Gums, K.Newbey 6707 (PERTH).
N.T.: Sanctuary Swamp, S of Tanami,
J.R.Maconochie 2460 (AD, B, CANB, HO, MO, NSW).
S.A.: Kolendo, Dawes Dam, 30 km W of
homestead, H.R.Toelken 7465 (AD, CANB).
Qld: 21 km from St George towards Noondoo, E.M.Canning
5961 & B.D.Grimes (BRI, CANB, NSW).
N.S.W.: Lagoon Ck, Narrabri, R.Coveny 8712 & S.K.Roy (AD,
BM, BRI, CANB, NSW).
Vic.: c. 400 m E of Monkeytail Tank, P.S.Short 1160 & M.G.Corrick (CANB,
MEL).
Highly polymorphic in many features, particularly in the degree of scaliness; plants from arid
regions are more densely scaly than those from mesic climates and plants growing in drying
mud are densely scaly when compared with aquatic plants in the same locality. Aborigines
collected and ground the sporocarps as food.
3. Marsilea latzii D.L.Jones, Fl. Australia 48: 707 (1998)
T: 9 km E of Rabbit Flat, N.T., 7 July 1980, P.K.Latz 8466; holo: DNA; iso: AD, CANB, MEL, SP.
Rhizome much-branched, glabrous except at the tips. Fronds 1–4 cm long, solitary or
clustered. Stipes glabrous or scaly. Leaflets cuneate to broadly cuneate, 1 –6 mm long, 1–
4 mm wide, glabrous or scaly; outer margin entire or slightly irregular, flat to rounded.
Sporocarps solitary or in small groups; stalks 4–6 mm long, very thin, unbranched, glabrous;
conceptacles ellipsoidal to obovoid, 3–4 mm long, scaly, distinctly ribbed; upper surface
concave; upper basal tooth very prominent, angular; lower basal tooth absent; apex of the
stalk forming a prominent, tooth-like protuberance. Fig. 56E–F.
Known only from the Tanami Desert, N.T. Rare and forming mats in damp sand on the
margins of brackish lakes; may be an annual. Map 139.
N.T.: c. 13 km E of Sangsters Bore, Tanami Desert, P.K.Latz 9300 (AD, DNA); c. 11 km SE of Sangsters
Bore, Tanami Desert, P.K.Latz 9393 (AD, DNA).
Characterised by its small habit, much-reduced fronds and leaflets and distinctive sporocarps
which have a long thin stalk and small ribbed conceptacles with angular basal teeth.
4. Marsilea costulifera D.L.Jones, Muelleria 8: 65 (1993)
T: Gilgunnia, N.S.W., 31 Dec. 1903, W.Baeuerlen; holo: NSW.
Illustrations: G.R.Sainty & S.W.L.Jacobs, Waterpl. New South Wales 295 (1981), as M. angustifolia;
B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 221, fig. 21.4 (1986), as
Marsilea sp.; S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 242, fig. 22.1C (1990), as M. angustifolia.
Rhizome much-branched, glabrous except at the tips. Fronds 1–12 cm long, clustered. Stipes
glabrous or scaly. Leaflets narrowly oblanceolate to cuneate, 1–12 mm long, 1–5 mm wide,
arranged unequally with 2 leaflets spreading and 2 ±porrect, glabrous or scaly; outer margin
entire, flat to rounded. Sporocarps in clusters; stalks 1–2 mm long, unbranched, glabrous;
conceptacles 2.5–3 mm long, scaly, distinctly ribbed; upper surface concave; upper basal
tooth prominent; lower basal tooth absent; apex of the stalk forming a less prominent, tooth like protuberance. Narrow-leaf Nardoo. Fig. 56C–D.
Endemic to coastal and inland localities in southern N.T., S.A., Qld, N.S.W. and Vic.; grows
in shallow water and drying mud, rarely in moist grassland. Map 140.
N.T.: Napperby Stn, T.S.Henshall 1019 (DNA).
S.A.: entrance to Wilpena Pound, S.T.Blake 16879 (BRI).
Qld: Serpentine Ck, 11 km NE of Brisbane, L.Durrington 546 (BRI).
N.S.W.: Cobar township,
E.J.McBarron 18421A (NSW). Vic.: L. Powell, 16 km SE of Robinvale, A.C.Beauglehole 56162 (MEL).
MARSILEACEAE
Fig. 56, Marsilea, Pilularia
p. 170
1. Marsilea
MARSILEACEAE
1. Marsilea
5. Marsilea angustifolia R.Br., Prodr. 167 (1810)
Zaluzianskia angustifolia (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 823 (1991).
R.Brown; holo: BM.
T: Australia [N.T.], 1802–1805,
Rhizome much-branched, glabrous except at the tips. Fronds 5–30 cm long, clustered. Stipes
glabrous or scaly. Leaflets narrowly cuneate, 5–20 mm long, 3–5 mm wide, spreading
equally, glabrous or scaly; outer margin entire, flat to rounded. Sporocarps in clusters; stalks
1–3 mm long, unbranched, glabrous; conceptacles 5–5.5 mm long, scaly, indistinctly ribbed;
upper surface convex; upper basal tooth prominent; lower basal tooth absent; apex of the
stalk forming a less prominent tooth-like protuberance. Nardoo. Fig. 56G–H.
Endemic to northern W.A. and northern N.T.; grows in shallow water and drying mud.
Map 141.
W.A.: plain of Ord R., K.Paijmans 2534 (CANB); Galola Ck, near Drysdale R., A.S.George 13790 (CANB,
PERTH); Galaxy Swamp near Drysdale R., A.S.George 14153 (CANB, PERTH).
N.T.: Marrakai Track,
M.O.Rankin 2315 (CANB, DNA); Katherine Gorge, N.Byrnes 622 (DNA); Cox River Stn, T.S.Henshall 159
(AD, DNA).
6. Marsilea crenata C.Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 84 (1825)
Marsilea elata var. crenata (C.Presl) Sadeb., in A.Engler & K.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 1(4): 419 (1900).
T: 'Philippine Islands', T.Haenke; holo: ?PRC n.v.
Illustrations: H.I.Aston, Aquatic Pl. Australia 40, fig. 12 (1973); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 242, fig.
22.1B (1990).
Rhizome much-branched, scaly towards the tips. Fronds 1–20 cm long, solitary or clustered.
Stipes glabrous or sparsely scaly. Leaflets broadly obovate to broadly cuneate, 10 –25 mm
long, 3–8 mm wide, glabrous or sparsely scaly; outer margin rounded, entire to deeply
crenate. Sporocarps clustered; stalks 1–3 mm long, unbranched, glabrous to sparsely scaly;
conceptacles 2–3 mm long, scaly, not ribbed; upper surface convex; upper basal tooth long
and spine-like; lower basal tooth short, obtuse. Nardoo. Fig. 56 I–J.
Occurs in N.T. and north-eastern and central-eastern Qld; also in Malesia; grows in shallow
water and drying mud. Map 142.
N.T.: N of Munmarlary HS, K.Paijmans 4605 (CANB, DNA); Oenpelli area, T.S.Henshall 1897 (AD, BRI,
CANB, DNA, MEL); South Alligator floodplain, G.Wightman 1458 (CANB, DNA, K, MEL).
Qld:
Mareeba, H.S.McKee 9049 (BRI); N of south end, towards Connor Bluff, Curtis Is., S.T.Blake 22573 (BRI).
7. Marsilea hirsuta R.Br., Prodr. 167 (1810)
Zaluzianskia hirsuta (R.Br.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 823 (1991).
tropical Australia [N.T.], 1802–1805, R.Brown; syn: BM.
T: Port Jackson, [Sydney, N.S.W.], and
Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 222, fig. 21.5
(1986); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 242, fig. 22.1D (1990).
Rhizome much-branched, scaly towards the tips, glabrescent. Fronds 1–20 cm long, solitary
or clustered. Stipes glabrous or scaly. Leaflets broadly obovate to broadly cuneate, 10 –
20 mm long, 3–12 mm wide, glabrous to densely scaly; outer margin rounded, entire to
irregularly crenate. Sporocarps solitary or clustered; stalks 3–6 mm long, unbranched,
glabrous to scaly; conceptacles 4–7 mm long, scaly, faintly ribbed or not; upper surface flat
to convex; upper and lower basal teeth similar, short, obtuse. Short-fruited Nardoo. Fig.
56M–N.
Endemic to coastal and inland areas of all mainland States and Territories; grows in shallow
water and drying mud. Map 143.
W.A.: Learmonth Airfield, A.S.George 10259 (CANB, PERTH).
N.T.: Mulga Park, T.S.Henshall 133 (AD,
DNA).
S.A.: Mt Dare Stn, P.K.Latz 4750 (AD, DNA, MEL).
Qld: Purga Ck, Boonah–Ipswich road,
I.R.Telford 9024 (CANB). N.S.W.: Toro Ck Stn, P.Martensz 3285 (CANB). A.C.T.: Murrumbidgee R., c.
2 km downstream from Kambah Pool, I.R.Telford 6895 (CANB).
Vic.: Hume Hwy, just N of Wangaratta,
E.M.Canning 3270 (CANB).
MARSILEACEAE
1. Marsilea
8. Marsilea exarata A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 732 (1870)
Marsilea hirsuta var. exarata (A.Braun) Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 216 (1913).
1855, F.Mueller; holo: ?K (Herb. Hooker) n.v.
Marsilea paradoxa Diels, Rep. Nov. Spec. Regni Veg. 3: 86 (1906).
Carnarvon, W.A., Aug. 1901, L.Diels 3723; holo: ?B n.v.
T: Brisbane R., Qld,
T: Gascoyne R. entrance, near
Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 223, fig. 21.6
(1986); S.B.Andrews, Ferns Queensland 242, fig. 22.1E (1990).
Rhizome much-branched, scaly towards the tips, glabrescent. Fronds 1–10 cm long, solitary
or clustered. Stipes glabrous or scaly. Leaflets broadly obovate to broadly cuneate, 1 –13 mm
long, 2–8 mm wide, often arranged unequally in pairs, glabrous to densely scal y; outer
margin rounded, entire to crenate. Sporocarps solitary; stalks 1 –3 mm long, unbranched,
glabrous to scaly; conceptacles 4–5 mm long, scaly, ribbed; upper surface flat to concave;
upper basal tooth broadly triangular; lower basal tooth of similar size but narrower and often
recurved. Swayback Nardoo.
Endemic to inland areas of W.A., N.T., S.A., Qld and N.S.W.; grows in shallow water and
drying mud. Map 144.
W.A.: Docker River Settlement, L. Hopkins area, T.S.Henshall 2162 (DNA, PERTH).
N.T.: Murray Downs
Stn, T.S.Henshall 1547 (AD, DNA).
S.A.: Welbourne Hill Stn, 13 km S of Hawks Nest Well, T.S.Henshall
3024 (DNA).
Qld: Gilruth Plains Stn, Cunnamulla, 13 Apr. 1967, R.Barker (CANB).
N.S.W.: Quarry
View Stn, Aug.–Sept. 1965, P.Martensz (CANB).
MARSILEACEAE
1. Marsilea
2. PILULARIA
Pilularia L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1100 (1753); from the Latin pilula (a pill), in reference to the shape of the
sporocarps.
Type: P. globulifera L.
Rhizome long-creeping, filiform, much-branched, bearing short nodal roots. Sterile fronds borne at the
nodes, solitary or in small groups, simple, filiform, with a single vascular strand. Sporocarps sessile or
shortly stalked, solitary, spherical, hard, woody, scaly, decurved and often buried in mud. Indusium
diaphanous. Megaspores ovoid. Microspores spheroidal.
A widely distributed genus of six species; one endemic species in Australia. Plants grow in shallow pools
and in mud in swamps and depressions; sometimes in temporary pools. They form grass-like clumps and
can be recognised by the coiled young fronds. Sporocarps are probably dispersed by waterfowl since plants
often appear in artificial pools and in recently inundated areas.
M.F.Large & J.E.Braggins, An assessment of characters of taxonomic significance in the genus Pilularia
(Marsileaceae), with particular reference to P. americana, P. novae-hollandiae and P. novae-zelandiae,
New Zealand J. Bot. 27: 481–486 (1989).
Pilularia novae-hollandiae A.Braun, Monatsber. Deutsch. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 435 (1864)
Calamistrum novae-hollandiae (A.Braun) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 82 (1891).
holo ?B n.v.
T: Swan River, [W.A.], J.Drummond 991;
[Pilularia globulifera auct. non L.: J.D.Hooker, Fl. Tasman. 2: 159 (1858)]
Illustrations: B.D.Duncan & G.Isaac, Ferns & Allied Pl. Victoria, Tasmania & S. Australia 224, fig. 21.7 (1986); M.Garrett,
Ferns Tasmania. Ecol. & Distrib. 114, photo 120 (1996).
Small grass-like plant forming dense, spreading clumps. Rhizome green. Sterile fronds 2 –7 cm long,
scattered, solitary or in small groups, dark green, tapered, glabrous. Sporocarps 2–3.5 mm diam., sessile or
with pedicels to 9 mm long, solitary at the base of sterile fronds. Australian Pillwort. Fig. 56 O–P.
Occurs in south-western W.A., southern S.A., south-eastern N.S.W., A.C.T., southern Vic. and Tas.
Endemic. Map 145.
W.A.: 9 km N of Capel towards Bunbury, G.Keighery 5665 (PERTH).
S.A.: Comaum, c. 65 km N of Mt Gambier,
K.M.Alcock 149 (AD).
N.S.W.: cult. ex Doonside, I.Beeton (CANB, NSW).
A.C.T.: Smokers Flat, Namadgi Natl Park,
C.Helman 335 & P.Gilmour (CANB, MEL).
Vic.: Dimboola, I.M.Reader (CANB).
Tas.: Midlands Hwy, c. 1 km S of
Mona Vale Rd junction, 13 Dec. 1990, M.Garrett (HO).
Differences between P. novae-hollandiae and P. novae-zelandiae A.Braun are very slight and require
further evaluation.