Ferns🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -20°C

Pillwort

Name: Pillwort (Pilularia globulifera)
Brand: HSMN Planten
SKU: 6a8b54645e18c5d0b30524bd
Price: 6.45 EUR
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Pilularia globulifera

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Pillwort (Pilularia globulifera) is a small, originally native water fern with thin, thread-like leaves that can resemble grass. Round, hairy sporocarps are formed at the base where spores develop. Sporocarps are spore structures, not fruits. The species grows on bare, nutrient-poor sandy and loamy soils along fens, pools, and periodically drying water bodies. Periods underwater must alternate with dry spells. Thick leaf litter, heavy fertilization, and competition from tall bank plants are unfavorable.

Specific care needed

Use nutrient-poor, clean, and slightly acidic water. The soil must alternate between being submerged and partially drying out. Avoid algae growth, fertilization, a thick organic layer, and competition from fast-growing bank plants.

Year calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Pruning period

Do not prune. Prevent the habitat from being overgrown by tall bank plants.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Sun, Half shade

Soil type: Clay, Sand, Loam

Moisture need: Moist, Wet / marshy

pH: Acidic (<5.5), Slightly acidic (5.5–6.5)

Nutrient richness: Very nutrient-poor, Nutrient-poor

Humus content: Humus-poor

Water drainage: Moisture-retentive, Poorly draining

Appearance & season

Mature height: 4-15cm

Bloom: Niet van toepassing

Autumn colour: No noticeable autumn color; the leaves may partially die back when drying out.

Properties

Salt sensitive: Yes

Edible: No

Do not consume.

Scent: No distinctive odor. The thin leaves have at most a slight water and plant scent.

Creeping rhizome: Yes

This fern has a creeping rhizome that can spread underground — give it room or keep it in check with a root barrier.

Ecological value

Pillwort provides structure for small aquatic insects, beetles, larvae, snails, and other water and bank animals. Young aquatic animals and small amphibians can hide among the thin leaves. The species contributes to rare pioneer vegetation in nutrient-poor waters. Birds may search for water insects among the plants. The low vegetation is less important for mammals but valuable for the food web along clean, nutrient-poor banks.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsUseful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesLimited

🪰 HoverfliesUseful

🦋 ButterfliesUseful

🪲 Beetles & insectsVery useful

🐦 BirdsUseful

🐿️ MammalsUseful

🐞 Other animalsVery useful

Pillwort is mainly important as an aquatic microhabitat for small water animals and insect larvae. Bank and water birds benefit indirectly from these creatures. The plant produces no nectar or fruits; the round sporocarps must be treated strictly as spore structures.

Distribution in the Netherlands