Isoetes biafranaAlston [family ISOETACEAE ] (stored under name); Verified by R. J. Hickey, Isoetes biafranaAlston [family ISOETACEAE ] Isoetes nigritianaA.Braun [family ISOETACEAE ]
Related name
Isoetes tenuifolia
Isoetes garnieri
`
Isoetes abyssinica
Isoetes nigritiana
Isoetes biafrana
Flora
Entry for Isoetes aequinoctialis A. Braun [family ISOETACEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 0, Part 0, page 29, (1970) Author: E. A. C. L. E. Schelpe
Names
Isoetes aequinoctialisA. Braun [family ISOETACEAE], in Kuhn, Fil. Afr.: 195 (1868). Type from Angola.
Isoetes nigritianaA. Braun [family ISOETACEAE], tom. cit.: 196 (1868). Type from Nigeria.
Information
Stem 0.5–1.0 cm. in diam., 3-lobed, with 10–20 leaves. Leaves 4–35 x 0.1–0.15 mm., ± trigonous, pale-green, stiff, apex abruptly pointed; Sporophylls with a broad membranous margin (soon disappearing) c. 3 mm. wide at the base, above sporangia. Sporangia 3–7 x 1 .5–3 mm., protruding either side of the mid-rib on the adaxial side of the sporophyll; velum covering lower 1/2 of sporangium or reduced to a marginal ring less than 1 mm. wide. Megaspores of 2 sizes, c.350 µ and 500 µ, often greyish when dry; proximal faces very finely granular or with a central cluster of minute verrucae; distal face with ± widely spaced papillae or granules. Microspores 28–40 µ long, scabrate.
Habitat
A terrestrial species in flushes or in seasonal stream beds usually well below mud surface, obviously able to withstand dry conditions
Altitude range
210–1230 m.
1230
210
Distribution
Zimbabwe N Darwin, Musengezi Camp, 8.v.19S5, Whellan 849 (BM; SRGH).Zambia W Mwekera, 14.iv.1967, Fanshawe 10026 (BM; K; NDO).
Notes
Specimens from W. Africa were regarded as a separate species by A. Braun, but insufficient material does not allow a thorough study to be made; the main difference is in the stature of the plant and this may well be due to the habitat.EQUISETALES