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Kōrero: Life in fresh water

Floating fern

Image
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 Many of New Zealand’s aquatic native plants have been replaced by exotic species.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.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10056901

by A. G. Hall

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

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

He kōrero nā Roger Young, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.