Marsilea minuta, or dwarf waterclover is a species of aquatic fern in the family Marsileaceae. It is not to be confused with Marsilea minuta E.Fourn. 1880, which is a synonym for Marsilea vestita. Other common names include gelid waterklawer, small water clover, airy pepperwort, and pepperwort, though the lattermost also applies to plants in the genus Lepidium. In French it is called marsilea à quatre feuilles and petite marsilée, the latter appearing to be a calque with the Latin botanical name. In Chinese it is 南国田字草, literally "southern field word grass," referencing the similarity of the leaflet shape to the Chinese character for "field." The Koch Rajbongshi people and Garo people call it shusni shak. It is called 'শুশনি শাক' in Bengali. In parts of India it can be called sunisanakka. In Indonesian it is semanggi, but this name also applies to Marsilea crenata. In Japanese it is nangokudenjiso and in Thai it is phakwaen. In Malaysian it is tapak itik. In the Philippines it is kaya-kayapuan.
Dwarf waterclover typically resists disease well and has relatively few insect pests. Its care level is considered difficult because it needs a moist environment and frequent watering. However, the roots can rot if they are overwatered and the environment lacks good ventilation. Dwarf waterclover is best for people with some growing experience, although most people are able to keep it alive for a certain amount of time. Still, Dwarf waterclover may struggle to thrive and its leaves can dry out and become less healthy over time.
How to keep Marsilea Aegyptiaca.
Light
The dwarf waterclover is native to habitats such as forest undergrowth or rocky landscapes, which provide ample shade. Its ideal light exposure is total shade, however, it can also endure partial sunlight.
Temperature
Dwarf waterclover thrives in climates with temperatures ranging from 68 to 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃). It favors warmer environments and might need temperature modifications in chillier seasons. The application of heat lamps or indoor cultivation during winter could be taken into consideration.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Fern
- Life Cycle
- Perennial, Annual
- Hardiness Zone
- 6-10
- Mature Height
- 30 cm
- Mature Spread
- 10 cm to 30 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Native Area
- Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Angola, Madagascar, Rwanda, Pakistan, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea-Bissau, Uganda, Kenya, Niger, Benin, Mali, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Mozambique, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Congo, Nepal, Malawi, Central African Republic, South Africa, Zambia, Sudan, Philippines, Mauritania, Laos, Bangladesh, Guinea, Chad, China, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Japan, Togo, Bhutan, Senegal, Eswatini, Algeria, Gambia, Congo (DRC), Thailand
Other names.
