Water clover
Marsilea quadrifolia
Family: Marsileaceae
What it is like
A long crawling fern. It can float on water. It has slender creeping rhizomes. It forms roots at the nodes. The young leaves are downy but become smooth. There are 4 triangle shaped leaflets. Each one is 1-2 cm across. The stalks are slender and 15 cm long. The sori or spore bodies, are narrow and enclosed by fronds.
There are about 50-60 Marsilea species.
Where it is found
It grows in wet places. It grows in temperate and subtropical places. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Asia, Bangladesh, Britain, Cambodia, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Europe, France, Greece, India, Indochina, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mediterranean, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Siberia, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, USA, Vietnam, Yugoslavia
How it is used for food
The young shoots are eaten cooked as a vegetable. They are also cooked in stir-fries and soup. The harvested shoots and leaves can be stored for 5-6 days.
Leaves are sold in markets. It is both cultivated and wild. It is popular.
Edible parts
Fronds, leaves, seeds, leaves - tea
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Aarai keerai, Chantuel phnom, Chapatray, Charpate behuli, Chapatri, Chuka chook. Co bo, Kundo arxa, Ishing yenthang, Liu yue xue, Pani tengesi, Rasun ara, Rau bo, Shusni shak, Square herb, štiriperesna marzilka, Sushni shak, Susni sag, Susnisak, Vattachappu