Research Article

A Comparative Study of Two Endemic Isoëtes Species from South Italy

Table 1

Characters used to compare and describe individuals.

Morphometric characteristicsIsoëtes iapygiaIsoëtes todaroana

Corm lobesTrilobedRounded
Corm width (cm)0.8 0.5
Shape of corm sectionHexagonalIrregular
Root shapeDichotomousDichotomous
Leaf shapeFiliform, archedLanceolate, erect
Leaf number2025
Velum CompleteComplete
StomataPresentPresent
Number of air chambers22
ScalesPresentAbsent
PhyllopodiaAbsentPresent
Macrospore macroornamentationTuberculateTuberculate
Microspore macroornamentationConiculate-echinateAculeate
Macrospore microornamentationDensely fimbriateFilamentous
Macrospore diameter (μm)450440
Macrospore profileRoundedTriangular
Microspore lenght (μm)30 25
Ligule shapeOvateLanceolate
Ligule lenght (mm)1.2 1.0
Laesura armsFlattenedRaised
Equatorial ringLittle pronouncedPronounced
Ecological characters
 HabitusTerrestrialAmphibious
 pH of soil7.38.7
 Type of soilclayclay
 Geological substrateLimestoneSandstone
Habitat
 Type (Natura 2000 Code)3170*3170*
 Characteristic species of communityPleurochaete squarrosa (Brid.)
Lindb., Cheilotela chloropus (Brid.)
Broth., Ranunculus sardous Crantz,
Polypogon maritimus Willd., Romulea bulbocodium (L.)
Sebast. et Mauri, Romulea columnae Sebast. et Mauri.
Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla,
Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. and Schult.,
Scirpus cernuus Vahl, Mentha  pulegium L., Oenanthe sp., Lythrum sp.,
Tamarix sp., Romulea sp.,
Geographical range
 Sites of presence101
 ChorologySouthern PugliaInsufficient data