6 Nardoo

Marsilea drummondii

Habitat: River flood plainsSeason: Dry season

Did you know that the explorers Burke and Wills died from starvation
while trying to survive on Nardoo? Nutritious food can be made from the
spores of this plant if it is prepared correctly.
Spores form under seasonal water. Aboriginal people in north west Victoria
collected the spore cases when the water dried up. They roasted them, discarded
the cases then ground the spores to make cakes.

See the spore cases (2) and the spores (3) that are inside. [Smyth 1878 : 217.]