Species PlantsWater Clover

Water Clover

Marsilea quadrifolia

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Water Clover (Marsilea quadrifolia)

Water Clover is an aquatic fern with floating four-leaf-clover-like fronds that roots in shallow pond mud. Originally introduced from Europe, it has naturalized in ponds and slow streams across eastern North America. The spore cases (sporocarps) and fronds are eaten by waterfowl. It resembles a four-leaf clover remarkably closely but is actually a fern.

Habitat
Shallow ponds, slow streams, and wet muddy margins across eastern North America
Diet
Fronds and spore cases eaten by ducks and geese
How common
Uncommon

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