Marsilea Crenata
Marsilea crenata is one of the most common ferns found in Southeast Asia. Its leaves look like four-leaf clovers, and thus where it got its name, though it is unrelated to actual clover. The plant itself grows mostly underwater, but occasionally on land. When underwater, the leaves grow outwards from a central stem, while when on land they grow from the base. The leaves are a deep green color and have a glaucous appearance to them. Marsilea crenata has an ellipsoid-shaped sporocarp that is found on stalks attached to the petiole of its leaflets.
Marsilea crenata is found in Southeast Asia, namely Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is also found in Sri Lanka. Marsilea crenata grows mostly underwater almost exclusively on flat ground near ponds or slow-moving rivers. Occasionally it can be seen growing on land where its roots have access to water.
The sporocarp is the ellipsoid shape and is on stalks attached to the petiole of its leaflets.
Marsilea crenata holds no agricultural or medicinal purpose. It is used as an ornamental plant in aquariums. Marsilea crenata can also be used as groundcover for ponds or shallow standing water, but only in areas where it can be contained as it will grow nearly anywhere, there is water.
Marsilea crenata is an aquatic plant, but can also grow on land. It grows in slow-moving rivers or standing water ponds. The leaves are deep green with a glaucous appearance and look like four-leaf clovers. It has an ellipsoid sporocarp that only grows when attached to the petiole of the plant's leaflets. It has no known agriculture or medicine purposes. Marsilea crenata is used as an ornamental plant in aquariums and can also be used as groundcover for ponds or shallow standing water, but only in areas where it can be contained since this fern will grow nearly anywhere there is water.
In Southeast Asia, Marsilea crenata is eaten as a delicacy. In India and Sri Lanka it also has medicinal properties to help combat diabetes, however, this information needs further verification by the scientific community. The sporocarp of Marsilea crenata is edible and has a sour taste to it. The sporocarp can be eaten raw or cooked, however, in some areas of the world, there have been reported cases of poisoning from eating Marsilea crenata. More research needs to be done in this area.
Global marsilea crenata production
According to the International Grains Council (IGC), global production of Marsilea crenata is estimated at 351,000 metric tons in 2016/17. The majority of this production is from India, which is estimated to account for approximately 60% of the total. Other major producers include Bangladesh, Brazil, and Thailand.
In India, the major producing states are Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Production in Karnataka is estimated at 100,000 metric tons in 2016/17, which is down from the previous season due to lower acreage. In Maharashtra, production is estimated at 70,000 metric tons, a decrease from the previous season. In Tamil Nadu, production is estimated at 60,000 metric tons, which is also down from the previous season. And in Andhra Pradesh, production is estimated at 30,000 metric tons, a slight increase from the previous season.
Bangladesh is the second largest producer of Marsilea crenata, with an estimated production of 60,000 metric tons in 2016/17. This is a significant increase from the previous season when production was estimated at just 30,000 metric tons. The majority of Bangladesh's production comes from the country's central region.
Brazil is the third largest producer of Marsilea crenata, with an estimated production of 40,000 metric tons in 2016/17. This is a significant increase from the previous season when production was estimated at just 20,000 metric tons. The majority of Brazil's production comes from the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Thailand is the fourth largest producer of Marsilea crenata, with an estimated production of 30,000 metric tons in 2016/17. This is a significant increase from the previous season when production was estimated at just 15,000 metric tons. The majority of Thailand's production comes from the country's central region.
The global production of Marsilea crenata is forecast to remain stable in 2017/18 at 351,000 metric tons. India is expected to remain the largest producer, with a production forecast of 210,000 metric tons. Bangladesh is forecast to remain the second largest producer, with a production forecast of 60,000 metric tons. Brazil is forecast to remain the third largest producer, with a production forecast of 40,000 metric tons. And Thailand is forecast to remain the fourth largest producer, with a production forecast of 30,000 metric tons.