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House Plants Moss, Ferns & Cryptogams

Is this a pest?

Alyssa (Zone 6)

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hello all!

I have a large blue star fern in a 10” pot, the top is covered in clover. Normal potting soil. The other day, I ran my hand across some of the clover and noticed tiny “things” jumping around. Just today I was misting the plant and heard something rustling as I walked away—went to inspect and saw these tiny white things scattered around the pot on my dresser. Are they pests? They don’t move when I pick them up, they almost look like something molted and left these teeny tiny shells behind. I might add, the fern has fertile fronds, but I didn’t think spores looked like this.

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Comments (4)

Alyssa (Zone 6)
Original Author
7 years ago
Picture didn’t post...
Raymond Dziezynski
7 years ago
I suspect your "clover" is actually Oxalis. It often grows wild in pots. Those white specks are Oxalis seed. The pod when ripe pops open scattering the seed all over.
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Alyssa (Zone 6)
Original Author
7 years ago
Ahh, I see. I had the impression that Oxalis was the Latin term for a genus, under which “clover” falls. Thank you for clarifying, I was worried I was dealing with some sort of bug. Here is the fern:
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
7 years ago
Alyssa, FYI....clover and oxalis aren't in anyway related. They both simply have three leaflets.

You might be able to find more ripe pods growing amongst the Oxalis; if you touch the tip it will explode right in front of your eyes. Always a source of amusement for kids.

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