Status:
valid
Authors:
Launert
Source:
tro
Year:
1968
Citation Micro:
Senckenberg. Biol. 49: 298. f. 41-46. 1968. (1968)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001110762
Common Names
- Marsilea farinosa
- Farinose Water Clover
- Farinose Four Leaf Clover
Description
Marsilea farinosa (also called Water Clover, among many other common names) is a small aquatic fern native to Africa and Asia. It is a perennial plant that grows in shallow water or on moist soil. Its leaves are four-lobed and arranged in a rosette pattern. The leaves are green and have a waxy texture.
Uses & Benefits
Marsilea farinosa is a fern used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as an air purifier.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Marsilea farinosa sub. arrecta J.E.Burrows
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Marsilea farinosa is a small, four-petalled, yellow flower. The seed is a small, dark brown, kidney-shaped nutlet. The seedlings are small, with four leaflets arranged in a cross shape.
Cultivation and Propagation
Marsilea farinosa is a hardy, evergreen, aquatic fern native to India. It is a low-growing, creeping plant with small, four-lobed leaves. It can be propagated by division or by spores. It prefers a moist, shady location and can be grown in containers or in a pond. It can tolerate some drought but will not tolerate standing water.
Where to Find Marsilea farinosa
Marsilea farinosa is native to South Africa and can be found in moist forests and woodlands.
Species in the Marsilea genus
Marsilea aethiopica,
Marsilea ancyclopoda,
Marsilea berhautii,
Marsilea cryptocarpa,
Marsilea latzii,
Marsilea nashii,
Marsilea quadrata,
Marsilea azorica,
Marsilea leiocarpa,
Marsilea macropoda,
Marsilea polycarpa,
Marsilea quadrifolia,
Marsilea vestita,
Marsilea villosa,
Marsilea oligospora,
Marsilea aegyptica,
Marsilea apposita,
Marsilea burchellii,
Marsilea capensis,
Marsilea coromandelina,
Marsilea distorta,
Marsilea ephippiocarpa,
Marsilea farinosa,
Marsilea fenestrata,
Marsilea macrocarpa,
Marsilea minuta,
Marsilea nubica,
Marsilea schelpeana,
Marsilea unicornis,
Marsilea villifolia,
Marsilea deflexa,
Marsilea mollis,
Marsilea scalaripes,
Marsilea strigosa,
Marsilea crotophora,
Marsilea gibba,
Marsilea batardae,
Marsilea hirsuta,
Marsilea drummondii,
Marsilea subterranea,
Marsilea botryocarpa,
Marsilea fadeniana,
Marsilea megalomanica,
Marsilea subangulata,
Marsilea angustifolia,
Marsilea costulifera,
Marsilea exarata,
Marsilea mutica,
Marsilea owambo,
Marsilea aegyptiaca,
Species in the Marsileaceae family
Marsilea aethiopica,
Marsilea ancyclopoda,
Marsilea berhautii,
Marsilea cryptocarpa,
Marsilea latzii,
Marsilea nashii,
Marsilea quadrata,
Marsilea azorica,
Marsilea leiocarpa,
Marsilea macropoda,
Marsilea polycarpa,
Marsilea quadrifolia,
Marsilea vestita,
Marsilea villosa,
Marsilea oligospora,
Marsilea aegyptica,
Marsilea apposita,
Marsilea burchellii,
Marsilea capensis,
Marsilea coromandelina,
Marsilea distorta,
Marsilea ephippiocarpa,
Marsilea farinosa,
Marsilea fenestrata,
Marsilea macrocarpa,
Marsilea minuta,
Marsilea nubica,
Marsilea schelpeana,
Marsilea unicornis,
Marsilea villifolia,
Marsilea deflexa,
Marsilea mollis,
Marsilea scalaripes,
Marsilea strigosa,
Marsilea crotophora,
Marsilea gibba,
Marsilea batardae,
Marsilea hirsuta,
Marsilea drummondii,
Marsilea subterranea,
Marsilea botryocarpa,
Marsilea fadeniana,
Marsilea megalomanica,
Marsilea subangulata,
Marsilea angustifolia,
Marsilea costulifera,
Marsilea exarata,
Marsilea mutica,
Marsilea owambo,
Marsilea aegyptiaca,