Water Shamrock

Water Shamrock

There are about 50 species of Marsilea in the world. Water Shamrock Marsilea quadrifolia was introduced from Europe into North America.It grows in quiet pools where its little four-lobed leaves float near the surface looking like the leaves of shamrock or four-leaved clover. The section shows spore capsules which sprout from the submerged stem and each capsule contains both male and female spores. When the capsule splits open the female megaspores are fertilised by male sperm in the water. [CH] {FG}