Pilularia globulifera

RHS Plant Profile
common pillwort

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common pillwort visionspictures.com
common pillwort visionspictures.com
common pillwort visionspictures.com

Other common names

pepper grass, pepper moss

Synonyms

Pilularia pilulifera

Ferns Aquatic Bogs
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A small, wetland fern, with creeping rhizomes producing slender, thread-like cylindrical fronds to 8cm high, giving it a grass-like appearance. Small round spore-bearing structures are formed at the base of the fronds in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Marsileaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives around the edges of seasonally fluctuating ponds and pools, a good plant for boggy ground. Will not tolerate shade or water pollution. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by spores or by division

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free