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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Marsilea quadrifolia is a FERN growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Pond; Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Seed
Edible Uses:
Young stems and leaves[105, 145]. A famine food, only used in times of scarcity[218]. The spores are produced in a sporocarp (like a fairly large container) and in allied species this is ground up and mixed with flour etc and used in making bread etc. It is rich in starch[144].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidote Antiphlogistic Depurative Diuretic Febrifuge Skin
A juice made from the leaves is diuretic and febrifuge[218]. It is also used to treat snakebite and applied to abscesses etc[218]. The plant is anti-inflammatory, diuretic, depurative, febrifuge and refrigerant[147, 178, 218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Requires a permanently moist or wet soil, it can be grown by the side of ponds etc or in the shallow edges of the pond[56]. Thrives in a turfy loam or in peat[1]. Hardy to about -15°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Spores. The plant produces sporocarps, these need to be lightly abraded and then immersed in water. The sporocarps will then swell and burst to release the spores. The spores germinate immediately, the highly developed prothallus remains inside the large seed-like spores. The gametophyte generation is completed in 24 hours and the first roots and shoots appear in 2 - 3 days. Mature plants bearing sporocarps can develop in as little as 3 months[200]. Spore germination in the family occurs after rupture of the sporocarp wall allows the sporocarp contents to be hydrated. A gelatinous structure emerges from the sporocarp, breaking it into valves and carrying the sori into the water. Spore germination (gametophyte growth) and fertilization occur immediately[270]. Division.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
58200
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