Notched Nardoo, Water clover
Marsilea crenata
Family: Marsileaceae
What it is like
A fern with a long creeping rootstock. It is often slightly branched. It looks like a small herb. The stem is 1-20 cm long depending on water depth. Leaves come either singly or as a cluster from the underground stem or rhizome. The stem is longer in water and shorter on dry ground. The rhizome is long and slender. The leaflets are spaced 1-4 cm apart along the rhizome. The leaflets are 1-2.5 cm long and 0.5-1 cm wide. They are wedge shaped or oval. The tip is rounded or toothed. The leaflets are dark green. The leaflets look like a four-leaf clover. The leaflets close at night. The spore carrying structures are usually clustered. The structure in which the spores are formed has stalks shorter than the capsules. The capsules are 0.2-0.3 cm long at right angles to the hairy stalk. It only develops reproductive organs when the field is dry.
Plants are rich in Vitamin A. There are about 50-60 Marsilea species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It can grow in water with the fronds floating but also with erect fronds on the edge of swamps. It needs full sunlight. It is damaged by frosts. It grows in rice fields. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to about 50 m altitude. It tends to be in areas with a prolonged dry season.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten as a raw or steamed vegetable dipped in hot sauces.
It is sold in markets in Thailand. Not known to be used as a food in Papua New Guinea.
Edible parts
Leaves, fronds
How it is grown
Plants are grown by dividing the clump.
Its other names
Local names
Chawng-khu-pei-du, Pak wan, Phak waen, Semanggi, Tapak itek, Wean