Isoetaceae
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Quillwort family
Isoetaceae
ใใบใใฉ็ง
A family of small aquatic or wetland herbs, with only the genus Isoetes comprising about 200 extant species. Outwardly resembling chives with tufted leaves, it has a characteristic corm-like stem. Closely related to the giant Carboniferous tree Sigillaria, often called a 'living fossil.'
Key Characteristics
- โHeterosporous (megaspores and microspores)
- โSporangia borne at the base of leaves
- โStem reduced to a corm-like structure
- โLeaves with well-developed air chambers (lacunae)
Phylogenetic Position
Vascular plants > Lycophyta > Lycopodiopsida > Isoetales > Isoetaceae
Divergence Era
Triassic (approx. 230 million years ago onward)
Representative Genera
ใใบใใฉๅฑ๏ผIsoetes๏ผ
Related Evolution Events
- ใปMiniaturization and herbaceous reduction from giant Carboniferous trees (Sigillaria relatives)
- ใปAquatic adaptation (development of air chambers and acquisition of CAM photosynthesis)
Plants in Quillwort family on this site
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