A network that helps people worldwide obtain rapid advice and information on crop protection, including the identification and management of plant pests.
PestNet is a network that helps people worldwide obtain rapid advice and information on crop protection, including the identification and management of plant pests. It started in 1999. Anyone with an interest in plant protection is welcome to join. PestNet is free and is moderated, ensuring that messages are confined to plant protection.
September 2013. An invasive weed was found in New Caledonia, presumably in drains or ditches.
It was identified as the floating aquatic fern Azolla (Family Salviniaceae – formerly Azollaceae), although the resolution of the images isn’t particularly good. In Australia there are two species, Azolla filiculoides and Azolla pinnata. One way of differentiating between the two species is whether fine rootlets are present along the main roots (Azolla pinnata). I do not have any information on which species are present in New Caledonia although Queensland Herbarium has at least one record of Azolla pinnatafrom Noumea. According to Mabberley (2006 – 3rd edition) there are 5 species worldwide. Azolla filiculoides is sometimes called “Pacific Azolla”.
