News from the Pillwort Bowl

Saturday, March 12th 2016

Pillwort is a water fern but it is not like the land ferns. A frond of Hart's Tongue fern from a garden, was taken and laid on soil and has been kept moist for about five months. The back of the frond was covered in sori that were filled with spores. Over the last month these spores have developed into prothalli. These will eventually produce new ferns.

Prothalli of Hart's Tongue Fern

Pillwort produced sporocarps from which the spores were released. These spores have now developed into tiny ferns, looking like pieces of grass.

New Pillwort ferns

Meanwhile the adult fern is still growing and as the days lengthen and there is more heat in the sun coming through the window, so it is growing more quickly. In the right hand corner, out of focus, the root of the Pillwort can be seen.

Adult Pillwort

Checking the plastic bowl on a regular basis and topping it up with water, 'things' have started to appear. Daphnia and Cyclops species are moving around, presumably having spent the winter dormant either as adults or eggs. Then there was a green 'thing'. Glasses off to look closer, excitement growing, large magnifying glass out and yes the green 'thing' was a Green Hydra.

A Green Hydra

They are basically a tube, an outer layer and an inner layer which digests the food. The tentacles around the opening of the tube catch the prey by stinging it. In this species, because they contain chlorophyll they are not as voracious as other species. If conditions are right then they reproduce asexually by producing a bud, which is a new hydra which will fall off and start life on its own. Within a few days of discovery, one hydra has a bud.

Budding hydra

This is a new species for the reserve but it is unable to be entered into the species list at this time, as there is some confusion over its correct name. The species programme is saying that it is a marine invertebrate!

(0) Comments:

There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:

Back to Top

Help Support Foxglove

Friends of Foxglove

The Friends of Foxglove Covert is for those individuals, families and organisations who would like to support the reserve through an annual membership subscription. Friends receive a regular newsletter and invitations to attend our various activities and social events.

More Details

Upcoming Events

Pond Dipping 2

Wednesday 10th August 2022 | Various sessions throughout the day - starting on the hour

Come along and find out which minibeasts are living in some of the habitats at Foxglove. Book a minibeast session for your family bubble. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the equipment will be cleaned between sessions. Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time.

A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking.

All About The Bugs! 2

Wednesday 17th August 2022 | Various sessions throughout the day - starting on the hour

Come along and find out which minibeasts are living in some of the habitats at Foxglove. Book a minibeast session for your family bubble. There will be a socially distanced brief to set you off and then you can use the equipment for the remainder of the session. You will be requested to use hand gel on arrival and the equipment will be cleaned between sessions.

Please call the Reserve Managers on 07754 270980 to book your allocated slot. You are advised to arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time.

A donation in advance (card payment by phone) of £5 per family bubble is required in order to secure your booking.

VIEW ALL EVENTS