Marsilea quadrifolia is quite close to Marsilea minuta, and in fact specimens of Marsilea from China seem intermediate between the two species in sporocarp size and peduncle attachment. Study of a wide range of Old World material of Marsilea would be required, however, to resolve the question of whether Marsilea quadrifolia and Marsilea minuta represent distinct species[].

Common Name: Water Clover

General Information

Marsilea quadrifolia is a deciduous, aquatic fern producing clumps of leaves up to 15 - 20cm tall at intervals along a long, creeping, much-branched rhizome. Thin green stalks rise from the rhizome to the water surface, each stalk bearing a single shamrock-like leaf with four wedge-shaped leaflets. The plant forms dense stands, or has a random growing pattern[].
The plant has been harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is often cultivated as an ornamental in aquaria and garden ponds[].
This species is widespread and common in Europe and some Asiatic countries such as China. No major threats have been reported. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[].
The sporocarps of this species also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of vitamin B1. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. Fairly resistant to heat, the quantity of enzyme can be greatly reduced by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant[, ].

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia, south to Portugal, Spain, Italy and Albania.

Habitat

Ponds, ditches and paddy fields in Japan and China[, ]. Shallow water of lakes, ponds, or quiet sections of rivers and streams and on wet shores[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Fern
Height	0.20 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant originally of the temperate zone, it can be grown in many areas of the tropics and subtropics at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 28°c, but can tolerate 14 - 32°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -15°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 500 - 3,000mm[].
Succeeds in full sun but is also very tolerant of shade[]. Requires a permanently moist or wet soil, it can be grown by the side of ponds etc or in the shallow edges of the pond[]. Thrives in a turfy loam or in peat[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8[].
Originally from Europe, the plant has escaped from cultivation and spread to many areas of the tropics and subtropics. It has been labelled as 'Invasive' in many countries, and has become a major weed of paddy fields and a troublemaker in ponds, lakes and irrigation systems. It frequents paddy crops and warm, shallow, muddy edges of fresh water ponds[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Young stems and leaves[, ]. A famine food, only used in times of scarcity[].

The spores are produced in a sporocarp (like a fairly large container) and in allied species this is ground up and mixed with flour etc and used in making bread etc. It is rich in starch[]. The sporocarps are a rich source of thiaminase, an enzyme that can destroy vitamin B1 in the diet[]. See notes above on 'Known Hazards'[].

Medicinal

The plant is anti-inflammatory, diuretic, depurative, febrifuge and refrigerant[, , ].
A juice made from the leaves is diuretic and febrifuge[].
The plant is also applied externally in the treatment of snakebites and skin injuries, including abscesses[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Spores. The plant produces sporocarps, these need to be lightly abraded and then immersed in water. The sporocarps will then swell and burst to release the spores. The spores germinate immediately, the highly developed prothallus remains inside the large seed-like spores. The gametophyte generation is completed in 24 hours and the first roots and shoots appear in 2 - 3 days. Mature plants bearing sporocarps can develop in as little as 3 months[].
Spore germination in the family occurs after rupture of the sporocarp wall allows the sporocarp contents to be hydrated. A gelatinous structure emerges from the sporocarp, breaking it into valves and carrying the sori into the water. Spore germination (gametophyte growth) and fertilization occur immediately[].
Division.

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