General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Fern
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: In Water
Wet
Soil pH Preferences: Strongly acid (5.1 – 5.5)
Moderately acid (5.6 – 6.0)
Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Moderately alkaline (7.9 – 8.4)
Strongly alkaline (8.5 – 9.0)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 18-24 inches
Plant Spread: 24-48 inches
Underground structures: Rhizome
Suitable Locations: Bog gardening
Uses: Water gardens
Medicinal Herb
Vegetable
Salad greens
Edible Parts: Leaves
Eating Methods: Raw
Cooked
Propagation: Other methods: Offsets
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)

Conservation status:
Conservation status: Least Concern
Image
Common names
  • Water Sprite
  • Water Fern

Photo Gallery

Thanks to Aquarium Co-op for permission to use this photo! https:
Location: Cano Negro, Costa Rica | December 2022

Thanks to Aquarium Co-op for permission to use this photo! https:

Thanks to Aquarium Co-op for permission to use this photo! https:

Thanks to Aquarium Co-op for permission to use this photo! https:
Location: Fairfax, VA | June, 2022
Location: Dearborn Heights, MI
Date: 2006-08-07
My Yard, growing in pond

photo credit: Show_ryu
Comments:
  • Posted by gardengus (Indiana Zone 5b) on Sep 4, 2015 7:42 PM concerning plant:
    I have grown this plant as an aquarium plant.
    Grows fast and can be used as a floating or bottom rooted plant.
    Rooted on the bottom, the leaves look more fernlike, on top they widen out.
    When floating, the small babies grow from the leaves.

    I have read it is edible and is eaten in some countries where it grows wild.

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