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Story: Life in fresh water

Floating fern

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Floating fern

The native floating fern retoreto (Azolla rubra) forms reddish mats that cover Motuoapa Swamp near Lake Taupō. Many of New Zealand’s aquatic native plants have been replaced by exotic species. Azolla rubra is a notable exception. In fresh water such as Lake Taupō introduced plants have largely replaced native plants at depths of 2–10 metres.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10056901

by A. G. Hall

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How to cite this page

Roger Young, Life in fresh water – Plants and recyclers, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11627/floating-fern (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Roger Young, published 1 March 2009.