Marsilea hirsuta
R.Br. Short-fruit NardooRhizome becoming glabrous. Fronds solitary or in clusters at nodes, 1–2 cm apart. Stipe 2–18 cm long. Leaflets usually symmetrically arranged, narrowly to broadly obovate-cuneate, 5–20 mm long, 5–13 mm broad, surfaces moderately hairy to almost glabrous when fully aquatic; outer margin rounded, entire or slightly crenate. Sporocarps single or clustered, bean-shaped, flatter on top, 4–6 mm diam., brown, slightly ribbed, densely hairy, with two equal, rounded, basal teeth; stalks unbranched, shorter than sporocarp.
LoM, MuM, Wim, VVP, VRiv, MSB, RobP, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU. All mainland states. Scattered throughout Victoria, chiefly in the north and usually on drying mud fringing swamps, billabongs and other sites prone to fluctuations in water-level.
Differs from M. drummondii in having smaller sporocarps on very short stalks and, contrary to its name, usually less hairy leaves. Its distribution may be wider, but sterile specimens cannot be referred to this species with any certainty.
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Ferns and allied plants (Psilophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Polypodiophyta). In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 13–111. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
