Ricciocarpus

Ricciocarpus

Ricciocarpus

Have you ever seen these small leaf-like plants floating on still water of ponds? They are Ricciocarpus. They are also found in swamps, which are nutrient enriched. The green, lumpy, fan-shaped thallus is lobed, dorsoventrally flattened with several purple rhizoids protruding out. Hence, also called ‘purple fringe’ sometimes. They serve as a food for ducks and birds and also provide habitat for aquatic insects and invertebrates. (image source)