water clover
Quick Summary
The term "water clover" refers to a type of fern belonging to the genus Marsilea. These ferns are part of the Marsileaceae family, which includes about 70 species of small aquatic and semi-aquatic ferns found worldwide.12
Water clovers are distinguished by their clover-like leaves, which have four leaflets. They root in mud or grow in shallow water and can sometimes be mistaken for flowering plants like clovers. The sporocarps, or spore-bearing structures, of Marsilea are known for their longevity, with some over 100 years old successfully growing into new plants. Some species are also used as aquarium plants.321
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