Azolla rubra

Azolla rubra, known commonly as red azolla and Pacific azolla, is a species of aquatic fern native to Australia and New Zealand.^[1] In New Zealand, it is also known by its Māori names returetu, roturotu, kārearea and kārerarera.^{[citation needed]}

Azolla rubra
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Salviniales
Family:	Salviniaceae
Genus:	Azolla
Species:	A. rubra
Binomial name
Azolla rubra R.Br.

Distribution

Azolla rubra is found in Australia and New Zealand. Its range is thought to extend to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Japan.^[2][3]

In New Zealand, it is found on the North and South Islands, and on Raoul Island in the Kermadecs.^[4]

Habitat

Forms extensive red mats on slow moving bodies of water such as streams, lakes, ponds and swamps. May also occur on man-made water bodies such as farm ponds, drains, ditches, dams and cattle troughs.^[2]