Marsilea Linnaeus. Common name: Waterclover.
A genus of about 55 species, nearly cosmopolitan.
ID notes: Marsilea superficially resembles an aquatic four-leaf clover, with four leaflets (pinnae) palmately arrayed at the petiole summit. Species determination is difficult and relies on features of the sporocarp, a hard pea-like structure than contains the sori, and is borne on short stalks from near or at the base of the petioles. The raphe is the portion of the peduncle adnate to the sporocarp. The peduncle ends in a blunt tooth, the proximal tooth. Further up on the sporocarp is a second tooth, the distal tooth.
References: Jacono & Johnson (2006); Johnson (1993a) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b); Knepper, Johnson, & Musselman (2002); Kramer & Green (1990); Lin & Johnson in FoC (2013); Schaefer, Carine, & Rumsey (2011). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Keith Bradley | Marsilea minuta | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Marsilea minuta, Legacy Park Lake, Legacy Park, City of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia 3 by Alan Cressler | Marsilea minuta source
© Alan Cressler: Marsilea vestita, Nacimiento River, San Luis Obispo County, California 1 by Alan Cressler | Marsilea vestita source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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