Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange |
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TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
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AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Perennial, aquatic to terrestrial
Stem buried, corm-like, 23-lobed, corky, brown
Leaves simple, in grass-like tufts, spirally arranged on stem top, erect to spreading, < 25 cm, linear above base
Sporangia solitary, embedded in wide leaf base, < 1 cm, ± covered by a translucent membrane, either male or female; male spores > 10,000, < 0.045 mm, ± bean-shaped, gray or brown in mass; female spores 20200, 0.20.7 mm, spheric, white, ± smooth, ridged, tubercled, or prickly
Genera in family: 1 genus, 150 species: worldwide
Reference: [Pfeiffer 1922 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 9:79233]
Etymology: (Greek: evergreen, from the habit of some species)
Perhaps most poorly known pteridophyte genus. Mature female spores, found in decaying leaf bases or soil, critical for identification; hand lens for texture when dry, microscope with micrometer for size.Hybrids (spores flattened, highly variable) common between aquatic species, making them less distinct .
Native |
Plant underwater
Leaves deciduous, < 20 cm, rigid, not brittle, abruptly tapered to tip, bright green; bases white to brownish
Sporangium: membrane covering < 30%; male spores 0.020.03 mm, brown in mass; female spores 0.30.5 mm diam, ridged, tubercled
Chromosomes: 2n=22
Ecology: Persistent lakes, pools
Elevation: > 1500 m (250 m in Marin Co.).
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, High North Coast Ranges, High Cascade Range, High Sierra Nevada, n San Francisco Bay Area (Lake Lagunitas, Marin Co.), San Bernardino Mountains, Warner Mountains comment>added "n SnFrB (Lake Lagunitas, Marin Co.),", JAG
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, Wyoming, New Mexico
Hybridizes with I. echinospora , I. occidentalis. Spores mature late summer. Small plants of c SNH, NV, AZ (leaf < 2.5 cm) have been called var. pygmaea (Engelm.) Clute.