203.100 Marsilea L. - Water clover or clover fern.
Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011)
Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide Struik Nature
Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983)
The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria.
Roux, J.P. (2001)
Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13
Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970)
Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca
Description of the genus
The plants mostly look like swamp-grown four-leaved clover!
Fronds with 4 leaflets,
arranged symmetrically crosswise at the apex of a stipe, floating in submerged plants.
Leaflets herbaceous, obtriangular to obovate.
Sori numerous on a gelatinous string-like receptacle attached to the wall of the sporocarp. Sporocarps stalked, borne singly or many together on petioles arising at or near the base of the stipe.
The identification of species of Marsilea on vegetative characters is impossible, mature sporocarps are essential for accurate naming. Derivation of name: marsilea: named after Count Luigi Fernandino Marsigli of Bologna (1658-1730), naturalist. Worldwide: ± 70 species, near cosmopolitan distribution. Zimbabwe: 9 taxa. |
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Species | FZ divisions | Content |
apposita Launert | N,W,C | Description, Image |
coromandelina Willd. | S | Description, Image |
distorta A. Braun | E | Description |
ephippiocarpa Alston | N,W,C,E,S | Description, Image |
farinosa Launert subsp. farinosa | W,C | Description, Image |
macrocarpa C.Presl | N,W,E | Description, Image |
minuta L. var. minuta | N | Description, Image |
nubica A. Braun var. gymnocarpa (Lepr. ex A. Braun) Launert | N,W | Description, Image |
vera Launert | W | Description |
Other sources of information about Marsilea:
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Flora of Botswana:
MarsileaFlora of Burundi:
MarsileaFlora of Caprivi:
MarsileaFlora of the DRC:
MarsileaFlora of Malawi:
MarsileaFlora of Mozambique:
MarsileaFlora of Rwanda:
MarsileaFlora of Zambia:
MarsileaExternal websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg):
MarsileaBHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library):
MarsileaEOL (Encyclopedia of Life):
MarsileaGBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility):
MarsileaGoogle:
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ScholariNaturalist:
MarsileaIPNI (International Plant Names Index):
MarsileaJSTOR Plant Science:
MarsileaMansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops:
MarsileaPlants of the World Online:
MarsileaTropicos:
MarsileaWikipedia:
Marsilea
Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M.
(2024).
Flora of Zimbabwe: Genus page: Marsilea. https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/genus.php?genus_id=87, retrieved 13 December 2024
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