• Girjala / गिरजला / Four Clover Leaf / Marsilea quadrifolia L.
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Girjala / गिरजला / Four Clover Leaf / Marsilea quadrifolia L.

Local Name: Girjala / गिरजला

Common Name: Four Clover Leaf

Botanical Name: Marsilea quadrifolia L.

Girjala / गिरजला / Four Clover Leaf / Marsilea quadrifolia L.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb

  • Occurrence: Moist soils; shallow, slow-moving waters environments

  • Season of Availability: Warmer parts of the year

  • Geography: Mostly worldwide

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: Yes

  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Young leaves and stems eaten as a famine food; spores can be used to make bread.

  • As Medicine: Plant applied externally to snake bites and skin injuries; its juice has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

  • Cooking Method: Young leaves and stems eaten raw as a famine food; spores grown in a sporocarp then used in bread.

  • Preservation / Curing Technique: N/A

  • Does Require Another Plants to be cooked together: No

  • Souring Agents Required: N/A


Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Helps treat skin injuries; has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Plant applied externally to snake bites and skin injuries; its juice has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

Recipes

  • Tribal Recipe: Eaten cooked for its sleep-inducing effect.