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Marsilea vestita (Hairy water clover)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Marsilea vestita Hook. & Grev.

Hairy water clover, Water clover

Marsileaceae (Water-Clover Family)

USDA Symbol: MAVE2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Small aquatic or wetland plant, forming dense colonies in mud or shallow water. Leaves produced on long petioles, 2 to 20 mm.

Marsilea vestita looks like a four-leaf clover, but is really a relative of ferns. Bright green leaves are lush in moist soil or a pond. Grows very vigorously and may become a nuisance if not kept in check. Try it in a pot without drainage holes and keep moist. If foliage becomes dried or brown, cut it back. New growth regenerates quickly if kept moist. It is less aggressive and has smoother leaves than Marsilea macropoda.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Size Notes: Less than 1
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Related to ferns, has spores.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , FL , IA , ID , KS , LA , MN , MS , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , SK
Native Distribution: Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatachewan south through much of the western and southeastern United States to Mexico. Western South America. In Texas, rare on the Edwards Plateau, in Travis county in the Blackland prairies, and in the south part of the plains country.
Native Habitat: On the edge of lakes, in shallow beds of creeks, and in periodically inundated depressions.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium , High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Aquatic: yes
Cold Tolerant: yes

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Good in water gardens, but should be potted to keep it in bounds.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Maintenance: If becomes too aggressive, thin it out. If foliage becomes dried or brown, cut it back. New growth regenerates quickly if kept moist.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Ground cover for partly sunny, wet area in Cypress, TX
March 19, 2007
I am in need of a ground cover to plant in an area close to our entryway. The area is shady to partly sunny, holds water in rainy weather, and has a shrub border. We are in Texas. Any ideas? Thank...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 1122 Collected Feb 22, 1995 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Marsilea vestita in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Marsilea vestita in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Marsilea vestita

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-03-08
Research By: NPIS, ADA, LAL

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