TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
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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 evergreen, < 20 cm, rigid, brittle, gradually tapered to tip, dark green; bases brownish white
Sporangium: membrane covering < 50%; male spores 0.0350.045 mm, gray in mass; female spores 0.50.7 mm diam, ridged, tubercled
Chromosomes: 2n=66
Ecology: Persistent lakes, pools
Elevation: > 1500 m (150 m in SCo).
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, High Sierra Nevada, South Coast (Kearney Mesa, San Diego Co.)
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia, Colorado
Synonyms: I. lacustris var. paupercula Engelm.; I. lacustris L. misapplied
Hybridizes with I. bolanderi , I. echinospora. Spores mature late summer.