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Glite Dictionary
Marsileaceae

Marsileaceae

9.9
A group of water ferns with clover-shaped leaves found in ponds and marshes
  • noun
  • /mɑrˈsɪliˌeɪsiˌi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Marsileaceae
  • The Marsileaceae, commonly known as the water-clover family, thrive in wetland environments.

Examples

  • In their natural habitats, members of the Marsileaceae can often be found growing in shallow water.

  • The distinct leaves of the Marsileaceae resemble those of clover plants and help them adapt to aquatic life.

  • Pryer's studies demonstrate that as the Marsileaceae evolved, the time to reproductive maturity was reduced relative to leaf development.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The heterochronic changes in development that characterize the Marsileaceae have made them uniquely suited to their uncertain environments, Pryer says.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Pryer has been able to meet both requirements in her studies of the role of heterochrony in the evolution of a family of aquatic ferns, the Marsileaceae.

    Academic text (1996)

Synonyms

family Marsileaceae
vsMarsileaceae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of ferns that grow in water or wet places

is identical in meaning but given as the formal family name

Surface Forms

Marsileaceae singular
Marsileaceas plural

Morphology

Marsileaceae = Marsilea (semi-transparent) = marsile + aceae

Formed regularly from a genus name plus the botanical family suffix '-aceae'; the structure is systematic but requires taxonomic knowledge not generally held by average learners.

Etymology

Marsileaceae comes from the plant genus Marsilea plus the ending -aceae, which means 'family' in plant names and appears in names like Rosaceae, the rose family. So, Marsileaceae is the family name for the water-clover ferns.