Scientific Name: Isoetes elatior Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: tall quillwort

Family Classification (Clade): Pteridophytes

Family: Isoetaceae

Threatened Species Status: Rare

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: Aquatic fern ally; rootstock 3-lobed; leaves, up to 60cm long, thin, grasslike; sporangia not veiled.

Municipality
Break O’DayGlamorgan-Spring BayLauncestonNorthern Midlands
Plant Communities
Aquatic
Habitat Notes

Known only from some rivers on the east coast of Tasmania. Typically occurs with its roots in a gravel/silt substrate in moderate to swiftly flowing water with all parts submerged throughout the year. In calmer water grows in mud or silt, often with Isoetes muelleri.

Site Tolerance

Waterlogged

Soil Tolerance

aquatic

General Notes

Isoetes eliator is the largest of the Australian species of Isoetes. Makes an attractive aquatic for a pond or cold water aquarium. Best grown in a submerged pot of soil with the surface covered with gravel.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Specialist Method

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Spores contained in sporophylls clustered into a bulbous base.