Appalachian quillwort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Appalachian quillwort |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Isoetes
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| Species: |
appalachiana
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| Synonyms | |
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The Appalachian quillwort (scientific name: Isoetes appalachiana) is a special type of plant that lives in water. It is a kind of pteridophyte, which means it reproduces using spores, much like ferns do. This plant is found in many places across the eastern United States.
Discovering the Appalachian Quillwort
This unique plant is most often seen in wet areas. These include wetlands, swamps, and marshes. It prefers to grow at low to middle elevations in the Appalachian Mountains.
You can find the Appalachian quillwort in Pennsylvania. Its range also stretches south from there. It grows all the way down to Florida and Alabama. It is usually found along the eastern slopes of the mountains.
What Makes It Unique?
The Appalachian quillwort is a tetraploid plant. This means it has four sets of chromosomes in its cells. Many living things usually have two sets. This special feature makes it different from some other plants.
It is closely related to another plant called Isoetes engelmannii. Both plants are sometimes called the "Appalachian quillwort." However, Isoetes appalachiana is a distinct species. It belongs to a group of very similar plants. This group is known as the Isoetes engelmannii complex.
