Document Type
Book Review
Publication Date
2026
DOI
10.17348/jbrit.v20.i1.1473
Publication Title
Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
Volume
20
Issue
1
Pages
153-154
Abstract
Isoetes (Isoetaceae; Lycopodiopsida; quillworts) constitutes a highly successful, cosmopolitan genus with over 200 species. Isoetes is derived from isos Greek for equal and eter for year, referring to the typically long persisting leaves of the sole genus in this ancient plant family. The leaves resemble a ‘quill-of-feather,’ hence the common name ‘Quillworts,’ wort, from old Germanic wurti, meaning plant. In large measure due to its simple form, inconspicuous appearance and negligible economic value, it represents one of the least studied and least collected of all North American genera. Isoetes constitutes a taxonomically enigmatic group with numerous polyploid species that arose through hybridization.
Rights
Copyright © 2026 Botanical Research Institute of Texas.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License.
Original Publication Citation
Musselman, L. J. (2026). [Review of the book A conspectus of the North American Isoetaceae, by D. F. Brunton, J. T. Kartesz, M. Nishino, and P. C. Sokoloff]. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 20(1), 153-154. https://doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v20.i1.1473
Repository Citation
Musselman, Lytton John, "[Review of the book A Conspectus of the North American Isoetaceae, by D. F. Brunton, J. T. Kartesz, M. Nishino, and P. C. Sokoloff]." (2026). Biological Sciences Faculty Publications. 695.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/biology_fac_pubs/695