Bigfoot Waterclover: A Unique Native Aquatic Fern for Your Water Garden
If you’re looking to add something truly special to your water garden or wetland landscape, meet the bigfoot waterclover (Marsilea macropoda) – a charming native aquatic fern that’s anything but ordinary. Despite its common name suggesting it’s a clover, this delightful plant is actually a fern that has mastered the art of aquatic living.
What Makes Bigfoot Waterclover Special?
Bigfoot waterclover is a perennial forb native to the southeastern United States, where it naturally grows in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. This fascinating plant gets its bigfoot moniker from its relatively large, four-leaflet fronds that float gracefully on the water’s surface or emerge just above it, creating an almost magical carpet effect in suitable habitats.
As an obligate wetland plant in both the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain and Great Plains regions, this species almost always occurs in wetlands – making it a perfect choice for gardeners looking to create authentic native wetland habitats.
Why Choose Bigfoot Waterclover for Your Garden?
This unique fern offers several compelling reasons to include it in the right garden setting:
- Provides authentic native habitat for southeastern wetland gardens
- Creates interesting texture with its distinctive four-leaflet fronds
- Supports wildlife – large animals, small mammals, and terrestrial birds use it as 5-10% of their diet
- Low maintenance once properly established
- Adds educational value as an unusual aquatic fern
Perfect Garden Settings
Bigfoot waterclover thrives in specific landscape situations:
- Water gardens and ornamental ponds
- Bog gardens and rain gardens
- Natural wetland restoration projects
- Shallow water features and pond margins
- Native plant gardens in appropriate climates
Growing Conditions and Care
Success with bigfoot waterclover depends on providing the right aquatic conditions:
Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 8-10, making it suitable for warmer southern climates
Water Requirements: Requires constantly moist to submerged conditions – this plant simply cannot tolerate dry soil
Light: Performs best in full sun to partial shade
Soil/Substrate: Prefers muddy or sandy substrates typical of wetland environments
Planting and Care Tips
Getting started with bigfoot waterclover is straightforward if you have the right conditions:
- Plant in shallow water (1-6 inches deep) or constantly saturated soil
- Space plants appropriately as they can spread via underground rhizomes
- Once established, maintenance is minimal – just ensure consistent moisture
- In suitable conditions, the plant will naturalize and form colonies
- Winter care varies by zone – may die back in cooler areas of its range
Wildlife and Ecological Benefits
While bigfoot waterclover may not attract pollinators like flowering plants (since it’s a fern that reproduces via spores), it does provide valuable wildlife benefits. Research shows that various animals including large mammals, small mammals, and terrestrial birds incorporate this plant into their diets, making it a worthy addition to wildlife-friendly landscapes.
Is Bigfoot Waterclover Right for Your Garden?
This native aquatic fern is perfect for gardeners who:
- Have consistent access to shallow water or very wet conditions
- Live in USDA zones 8-10
- Want to create authentic southeastern wetland habitats
- Appreciate unique, educational plants
- Are committed to native plant gardening
However, it’s not suitable if you lack reliable water sources or live outside its natural climate range. Remember, this is an obligate wetland species – without consistent moisture, it simply won’t survive.
Bigfoot waterclover offers a wonderful opportunity to grow something truly different while supporting native ecosystems. If you have the right aquatic conditions, this charming native fern can add both beauty and ecological value to your water garden or wetland landscape.
