Marselia quadrifolia (M. minuta) (SUSENA / SUNISHANNAKA / CHATUSHPATRI)

Sunisannaka or susena is one of the common herbs in the saka varga of brhat trayi.  Some confused it with sitivara while others considered it as cangeri.  Dalhana described that sunisannaka leaves look like those of cangeri (Oxalis corniculatus). He further quoted that catuspatri may be cangeri or sirivalika.  These statements lead to major controversy.  But, all the three herbs are ighantuy ighantuy leaving no scope for controversy.  They are :

Sunisannaka     –           Marselia quadrifolia

Cangeri                        –           Oxalis corniculatus

Sitivara             –           Celosia argentia Linn.

Botancial Description – Aquatic fern bearing 4 parted leaf resembling ‘4-leaf clover’ (Trifolium). Leaves floating in deep water or erect in shallow water or on land. Leaflets obdeltoid, to ¾” long, glaucous, petioles to 8” long; sporocarps ellipsoid, to 3/16” long, dark brown, on stalks to ¾” long, attached to base of petioles. Location of spores : in hard-shelled cases borne near the roots.