European water-clover (Marsilea quadrifolia, Sp. Pl.: 1099 (1753))

Family: Marsileaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1099 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Marsilea

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Canary Is., Europe to Japan and Iran

Description

The European water-clover, scientifically known as Marsilea quadrifolia, is an intriguing aquatic fern with a unique configuration. This perennial plant draws attention with its clover-like leaves, each subdivided into four distinct leaflets, resembling the familiar four-leaf clover. Although it is called a water-clover, it is not directly related to the typical clovers found in grasslands but belongs to the Marsileaceae family.

Marsilea quadrifolia thrives in wet environments, often seen proliferating in shallow waters of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Its habitat spans a broad geographic range, from the Canary Islands across Europe to the far reaches of Japan and Iran. This extensive distribution reflects its adaptability and resilience in varied climates and aquatic environments.

This aquatic fern has a rich historical background, having been first classified in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus. The European water-clover’s distinctive appearance not only makes it a subject of botanical interest but also an attractive plant for water gardens and aquariums. Its fronds float elegantly on the water’s surface or are submerged, depending on the depth and water conditions, contributing to the ecological diversity of its habitat.

In summary, Marsilea quadrifolia stands out not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its wide distribution and adaptability. It is an excellent example of the diversity within the Marsileaceae family and the intricate beauty of aquatic plants.

Common Names

Eng: european water-clover, european waterclover, water shamrock, common water clover, european marsilea, european pepperwort, european water fern, water-clover
Fra: fougère d’eau à quatre feuilles, marsilea à quatre feuilles, marsilée à quatre feuilles, marsile à quatre feuilles
Deu: kleefarn, vierblättriger kleefarn, gewöhnlich-kleefarn, schlammfarn
Spa: trebol de agua, trébol de cuatro hojas
Ita: trifoglio acquatico comune, quadrifoglio acquatico
Swe: klöverbräken
Pol: marsylia czterolistna
Khm: ចន្ទល់ភ្នំ
Nld: klaverbladvaren
En: European water-clover, European waterclover, Common Water Clover, Water Shamrock, European marsilea, European pepperwort, European water fern, Water-clover, Water Clover
Bn: শুষনি শাক
Bg: Четирилистна марсилия
Zh: 苹
Cs: Marsilka čtyřlistá
Nl: Klaverbladvaren
Fi: Apilasaniainen
Fr: Marsiléa à quatre feuilles, Marsilée à quatre feuilles, Fougère d’eau à quatre feuilles, Marsilea à quatre feuilles, Marsile à quatre feuilles
De: Vierblättriger Kleefarn, Kleefarn, Gewöhnlich-Kleefarn, Schlammfarn, Klee-Farn
Hu: Négylevelű mételyfű
It: Trifoglio acquatico comune, Quadrifoglio acquatico
Kk: Törtjapıraqtı Marsïlïya, Төртжапырақты Марсилия, تورتجاپىراقتى مارسىيلىييا
Km: ចន្ទល់ភ្នំ
Ko: 네가래
Mk: Четирилисна разноротка
Ml: നാലിലക്കീര
No: Kløverbregne
Or: ଶୁନୂଶୁନିଆ
Fa: شبدر آبی
Pl: Marsylia czterolistna
Pt: Trevo de Quatro Folhas
Ru: Марсилия четырёхлистная
Sr: Разноротка
Es: Trébol de cuatro hojas, Trebol de agua
Sv: Klöverbräken
Zh-tw: 四葉萍, 田字草, 蘋
Uk: Марсилія чотирилиста
Vi: Rau bợ

Synonyms

• Zaluzianskia marsilioides (Neck.)
• Marsilea europaea (Desv.)
• Marsilea quadrifoliata ((L.) L.)
• Zaluzianskia quadrifolia ((L.) Kuntze)
• Marsilea coromandelica (Burm.f.)
• Pteris quadrifoliata (L.)
• Spheroidia quadrifoliata (Dulac)
• Lemma quadrifolia ((L.) Desr.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jul 12, 2019 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2021 by Allan dos Santos Oliveira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2019 by reboucas francimary (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2019 by Marc Solà (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by Aprilia Aprilia Novita Sari (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2000 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Fruit

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 6, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5274875)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17145350-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Marsilea quadrifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth