Marsilea minuta (Dwarf Waterclover) Care Guide
Marsilea minuta is a dwarf waterclover fern (Marsileaceae) from Africa and Asia, a tolerant low-light carpet plant for low-tech freshwater foregrounds.
Overview
Marsilea minuta is a small aquatic fern of the family Marsileaceae, known as dwarf waterclover or pepperwort. It has a thin creeping rhizome and four leaflets that resemble a clover leaf. It is a tolerant carpet plant that grows across a wide light range and is well suited to low-tech foregrounds.
Taxonomy
- Family: Marsileaceae
- Genus: Marsilea
- Scientific name: Marsilea minuta
- Common names: dwarf waterclover, pepperwort
Habitat
The species is found across Africa and Asia, including India, China, Bangladesh and Indonesia, from sea level up to about 1,950 m. It grows in ponds and shallow water on clay or sandy soil and tolerates both freshwater and brackish conditions; the juvenile form is submerged while adults are usually terrestrial.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-14 °dGH
- Maximum height: about 5 cm
- Lighting: low
- CO2: not required
- Substrate: nutrient-rich
- Placement: carpet / foreground
Growth and care
Growth is slow and the plant is undemanding, tolerating low light without CO2. Submerged leaflets measure roughly 0.8-1.7 cm by 1.2-2 cm on a rhizome about 0.4-0.8 mm thick; growth becomes denser under stronger light.
Propagation
It spreads by runners; the creeping rhizome roots along its length, and sections can be separated to expand the carpet. The fern also produces sporocarps for spore-based reproduction.