Water clover, Clover fern
Marsilea minuta

Family: Marsileaceae

What it is like

A small fern. It grows in water or damp locations. It has creeping rhizomes. The fronds float. It has four leaflets. These are rounded or delta shaped and 1-2.5 cm long and wide. They are at the top of a slender leaf stalk. It only forms spore bodies in water.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in swamps and stagnant pools. It is rare in Swaziland. In Bangladesh it grows in ditches and rice paddies. It grows in wetlands. In southern China it grows in rice fields and in ditches between 100-1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Caribbean, China, Comoros, East Africa, Eswatini, Gambia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indochina, Laos, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

The very tender stalks and leaves are used as a pot herb. They are cooked and eaten. They are also fried.

Leaves are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fronds, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Araikeerai, Chabarchilu, Chatom ara, Chick-lintakura, Chilo, Chitigina soppu, Dhel manimuni, Godhi, Guersel, Ishing-yensang, Kundo arxa, Mudugotamara, Paflu, Pani tengesi, Reu-reua, Sunsunia, Sun-suniya, Sushni, Susni, Susnishak, Tengesi, Tripattra, Zarzuri

Synonyms

Marsilea aegyptiaca Wall.; Marsilea diffusa var. approximata A. Braun; Marsilea perrieriana C. Chr.;