Uses
Toxic parts
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable
[1].
Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase
[2].
Edible uses
Notes
Young stems and leaves
[3][4]. A famine food, only used in times of scarcity
[5].
The spores are produced in a sporocarp (like a fairly large container) and in allied species this is ground up and mixed with flour etc and used in making bread etc. It is rich in starch
[6].
Material uses
There are no material uses listed for Marsilea quadrifolia.
A juice made from the leaves is diuretic and febrifuge
[5]. It is also used to treat snakebite and applied to abscesses etc
[5].
The plant is anti-inflammatory, diuretic, depurative, febrifuge and refrigerant
[7][8][5].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Spores. The plant produces sporocarps, these need to be lightly abraded and then immersed in water. The sporocarps will then swell and burst to release the spores. The spores germinate immediately, the highly developed prothallus remains inside the large seed-like spores. The gametophyte generation is completed in 24 hours and the first roots and shoots appear in 2 - 3 days. Mature plants bearing sporocarps can develop in as little as 3 months
[1].
Division.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Marsilea quadrifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Requires a permanently moist or wet soil, it can be grown by the side of ponds etc or in the shallow edges of the pond
[9]. Thrives in a turfy loam or in peat
[10].
Hardy to about -15°c[1].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer
[11].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Marsilea quadrifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Marsilea quadrifolia.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Marsilea quadrifolia
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
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"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
-
? 1.01.11.21.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
-
? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
-
? 4.04.1 Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
-
? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
-
? 6.06.1 Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (1976-00-00)
-
? 7.07.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
-
? 8.08.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
-
? Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7158-0789-7 (1982-00-00)
-
? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
-
? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
-
? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
"image:Maesilea quadrifolia denjisou01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.