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NZ Plants
Isoetes kirkii - quillwort
Family Isoetaceae
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Plant
J Braggins
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Stem with roots and leaf bases
L Jensen
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Leaves with transverse septa
L Jensen
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Swollen leaf bases
L Jensen
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Leaf base, inner surface with ligule
L Jensen
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Ligule
L Jensen
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Isoetes kirkii is a small semi-aquatic plant with a perennial tuber producing tufts of slightly fleshy and grass-like leaves. A small appendage (ligule) is present at the base of the leaf on its inner surface. Sporangia are found inside swollen leaf bases. Two species of quillwort are fond in New Zealand both of which are endemic.
Isoetes kirkii is found in lakes in both North and South Islands.
Vegetative characteristics |
Fertile stem and sporangia |
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Plant form: terrestrial plants up to 15 cm high |
Stem appearance: fertile stem absent. |
Leaf arrangement: in dense cluster at tip of compact stem (in a rosette) |
Sporangium location: at base of leaves |
Leaf shape: linear, tubular, pointed at tip; ligule on inner surface at base of leaf |
Sporangium position: inside swollen leaf base |
Leaf size: up to 15 cm |
Sporangia distribution: one per leaf |
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Sporangium covering: 0 |
