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Isoetes occidentalis

Henderson

Western Quillwort

G4Apparently Secure (G4G5) Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.137488
Element CodePPISO01110
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumLycophyta
ClassIsoetopsida
OrderIsoetales
FamilyIsoetaceae
GenusIsoetes
Other Common Names
Isoète de l'Ouest (FR) western quillwort (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Review Date2011-11-01
Change Date1993-07-01
Edition Date1993-07-01
Edition AuthorsStoner, N.
Rank Reasons
Aquatic plant of western mountain lakes from California to Alaska and east to the Rockies.
Range Extent Comments
Alaska, British Columbia, and California, east to Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.
Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

From CNHP Wetland Guide 2012: Main Characteristics:
Leaves strictly erect, stiff, gradually tapering to tip
Megaspores mostly 0.5-0.7 mm wide with high ridges or jagged crests
Sporangium wall is not pigmented

Habitat

Submersed in mountain lakes. Red fir to subalpine forest, 6000-11000 feet.

Ecology

From CNHP Wetland Guide 2012: Comments: Quillworts are intolerant of nutrient enrichment and can be an indicator of good water quality (Washington State Dept. of Ecology 2011). Plants are often washed ashore by wave action (Weber and Wittman 2012)
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
Yukon TerritorySUYes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
AlbertaS1Yes
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
ColoradoS1Yes
UtahS1Yes
WyomingS1Yes
WashingtonSNRYes
MontanaS1Yes
AlaskaS3Yes
OregonSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (1)
Washington (1)
AreaForestAcres
HorseshoeGifford Pinchot National Forest7,579
References (3)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1993a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 2. Pteridophytes and gymnosperms. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xvi + 475 pp.
  2. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  3. Peck, M.E. 1961. A manual of the higher plants of Oregon. 2nd edition. Binsford & Mort, Portland, Oregon. 936 pp.