noun
Azolla imbricata (species of water fern)
A small floating aquatic fern native to East Asia, often found in rice paddies and ponds. The name literally means 'red floating grass' due to its reddish autumn color.
田んぼにアカウキクサが一面に広がっている。
Azolla imbricata is spreading all over the rice paddy.
Standard katakana spelling, as the word is usually written in kana.
Rarely used kanji form; the word is usually written in kana.
From 赤 (aka, 'red') + 浮草 (ukikusa, 'duckweed' or 'floating plant'), referring to the reddish floating fern.