Isoetes velata (Quillwort) Care Guide
Isoetes velata is a slow-growing quillwort, a spore-producing lycophyte from southern Europe forming a rosette of awl-shaped grass-green leaves.
Overview
Isoetes velata is a quillwort, a member of the lycophytes (club mosses) rather than a flowering plant. It forms a dense rosette of awl-shaped, grass-green leaves arising from a bulbous rhizome (corm). It is a slow grower suited to cooler tanks and biotopes. Like other quillworts, it reproduces by spores rather than seeds.
Taxonomy
- Family: Isoetaceae
- Genus: Isoetes
- Scientific name: Isoetes velata
Habitat
Isoetes velata occurs in southern Europe; the var. sicula is recorded from Sicily and Sardinia. It is part of the ephemeral amphibious vegetation of Mediterranean Ibero-Atlantic temporary waters, living in shallow fresh-water ponds and lakes. The genus typically inhabits clear ponds and slow streams, with several species growing on ground that seasonally dries out, and many aquatic Isoetes absorb CO2 from sediment through hollow roots.
Growth requirements
- Light: medium (medium to high reported)
- CO2: beneficial, around 10-40 mg/l reported
- Temperature: 10-22 °C (50-72 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Growth rate: slow
- Maximum height: about 12 cm
Placement
The compact rosette suits the foreground or as a specimen in nano and biotope tanks, including cooler setups.
Propagation
Isoetes velata reproduces via spores formed in leaf-base sporangia; both large macrospores and tiny microspores are produced, and can be sown onto moist substrate. Plants can also be split, separating daughter plants.