Marsilea vestita (Hairy Water Clover)

Plant Info
Also known as: Hairy Pepperwort
Genus:Marsilea
Family:Marsileaceae (Water-clover)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Status:
  • State Endangered
Habitat:sun; vernal pools, muddy banks, edges of ponds
Fruiting season:spring - fall
Plant height:1 to 8 inches
Wetland Indicator Status:GP: OBL MW: OBL NCNE: OBL
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

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Detailed Information

Leaves and stems: Leaf attachment: basal Leaf type: palmate

[photo of leaves] Leaves are basal and palmately compound in groups of 4, resembling a four-leaf clover. Leaflets are 1/5 to 2/3 inch long with smooth or softly hairy surfaces and smooth edges. Stems are sparsely hairy and 1 to 8 inches long. Leaves of submersed plants typically float on the surface of the water while land-locked plants are more erect. Colonies are formed from long rhizomes, rooting at the nodes.

Spores: Fruit type: spores on stalk

Spores are contained in a flattened, round to oval capsule that is up to 1/3 inch long, on a stalk up to 1 inch long. The capsule is initially covered in hairs but quickly becomes smooth. The spore stalk arises from the rhizome at the base of a leaf stalk.

Notes:

Although this fern may not bring you luck as a four-leaf clover might, you could count yourself lucky if you happen to see it within the state, as it is currently endangered in MN. While in other regions it can be found in pond edges, floodplains, and other low areas with fluctuating water levels, in MN it is limited to ephemeral pools in rock outcrops and shallow prairie pools. According to the DNR, it was listed as an Endangered species in 1996 due to its few numbers and very specialized habitat, which is at risk of destruction from mining and over-grazing, plus excessive herbicide use for weed control in pastures. This is only Marsilea species found in Minnesota.

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More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken at Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone County.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Kimberly E. - Rock County
on: 2019-08-15 09:58:41

Several ephemeral pools with pretty healthy populations.

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