This aquatic plant is actually a fern, but it does not resemble other ferns in appearance. It comes in either green (A) or later in the season reddish-purple (B). The reddish-purple color is produced by cyanobacteria (Anabaena azollae). It has roots dangling down, similar to the Duckweeds, and floats in large mats, usually along shores of fairly still, shallow water (C). A closer examination with a macro lens in a controlled setting (D,E) – an exception to our standard procedures because of the unique structure of this plant – shows green or reddish scaly leaves on branched stems when seen from above (F,G). When viewed from below, a reddish, fertile plant shows the male sporocarps with numerous spherical microsporangia inside (H,I) and – barely visible in image (H) the smaller female sporocarp with their dark tips (also K). Image (J) shows a male sporocarp which has broken, releasing the egg-like microsporangia. Image (K) shows a single female sporocarp and a male microsporangium.