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Engelmann's Quillwort

(Isoetes engelmannii)

Status: Endangered (ESA 2008, COSEWIC 2003)

Table of Contents:

  • Species Identification
  • Habitat and Biology
  • Threats/Reasons for Being at Risk
  • Conservation and Recovery Strategies
  • Why You Should Care
  • How You Can Help
Engelmann's Quillwort
Photo by Theo Witsell: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71270572
Photo by Theo Witsell: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71270572

Species Identification:

The Engelmann’s Quillwort is a small, inconspicuous aquatic grass with long, thin leaves that can grow to be approximately 20 cm in length. The leaves are hollow and soft to the touch, and they range in colour from green to yellow. They are often found with other very similar looking species of Quillwort, and they can only be distinguished from other Quillworts through examination of the spores.

Habitat and Biology:

The Engelmann’s Quillwort is found throughout Eastern North America, but it is rare across its range. It is found sparsely throughout the eastern United States, from New York down to Florida, and west to Tennessee. In Canada, Endelmann’s Quillwort can only be found in The Land Between along the Severn River in Muskoka and Simcoe, and along the Gull River near West Guilford. 

Map taken from Government of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/engelmanns-quillwort-recovery-strategy
Map taken from Government of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/engelmanns-quillwort-recovery-strategy
Photo by Theo Witsell: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71270572
Photo by Theo Witsell: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71270572

This species prefers shallow, flowing waters with a relatively neutral pH in areas ranging from full sunlight to partial shade. It grows near the shores where it is protected by waves and heavy currents. Endelmann’s Quillwort is often found in large, dense clusters and roots in layers of sandy substrates over clay, in partial shade or full sunlight. It is typically completely submerged, but can be found partially exposed in some areas later in the summer. Reproduction occurs in August through the mixing of spores from male and female plants that are dispersed by water currents. Engelmann’s Quillwort is commonly found growing with Eel-grass, Spiny Quillwort (with which it often hybridizes), Najad, Waterweed, Pondweeds and various species of Arrowhead.

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Threats/ Reasons for being at Risk:

1. Mechanical damage: Direct damage to individual plants from human trampling, boat propellers, dock construction, and beach creation, as well as natural damage resulting from water and ice can injure or kill multiple or individual plants, reducing population numbers and therefore the genetic diversity of populations. This threat has been observed to impact individuals in the Muskoka population in The Land Between.

2. Herbicide application: Application of herbicides on waterfront properties or directly in the water as a method of aquatic vegetation control has the potential to impact populations of Engelmann's Quillwort by harming or killing individuals, thus lowering the genetic diversity and overall fitness of the population.

3. Nutrient enrichment: Nutrient enrichment as a result of fertilizer application on waterfront properties has the potential to impact Engelmann’s Quillwort by promoting enhanced growth of other plant species or algae growing near the plant. Neighboring plants or algae populations could grow to block the light from the surface, rendering the habitat unsuitable for the Quillwort.

Photo by Theo Witsell: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71270572
Photo by Theo Witsell: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/71270572

Conservation and recovery strategies:

Research is currently underway to develop a better understanding of the habitat requirements of Engelmann's Quillwort, as well as to study the relationship between American and Canadian populations of the species. Ontario has come up with seven objectives for recovery, which include determining population size and distribution, ecological requirements, identifying and monitoring subpopulations, identifying and mitigating negative impacts, conservation and regulation, and establishing educational tools and outreach programs.

Why You Should Care:

  • This species of Quillwort is only found in two locations in all of Canada, both of which are in The Land Between! As stewards for this land, it is our responsibility to do all that we can to protect and maintain this delicate species
  • The presence of Engelmann's Quillwort is an indicator of a healthy and diverse aquatic habitat that is necessary for swimming and fishing

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Photo by Peter Schafran: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25181844
Photo by Peter Schafran: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25181844

How can you help?

  1. If you live, work, or play near one of the areas where Engelmann’s Quillwort is known to occur, don’t disturb the plant by walking on it, boating over top of it, or building beaches or docks in its habitat.
  2. If you are a waterfront property owner, consider leaving the waterfront area as undeveloped as possible to avoid any impacts to this, or other sensitive aquatic species in your area.
  3. Consider signing up for a “Design your Own Shoreline Garden” workshop hosted by The Land Between. You will learn about ways to develop your shoreline garden in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and beneficial to the sensitive aquatic environment it borders.

Quick Facts:

  • Engelmann's Quillwort was first discovered in Canada along the Severn River in Muskoka in 1988 
  • Engelmann’s Quillwort frequently hybridizes with the Spiny Quillwort to form a sterile hybrid called Eaton’s Quillwort
  • Quillworts, including Engelmann's Quillwort, are members of a group known as “fern allies”. Fern allies are similar to ferns in that they reproduce through the release of spores (as opposed to seeds like most other plants), but differ primarily in that they do not have the same, fan-like leaf structure characteristic of most ferns 

Additional Resources:

  • Government of Ontario’s Engelmann’s Quillwort SAR page
  • Georgian Bay Biosphere’s Species at Risk Database for the Engelmann’s Quillwort
  • Learn to identify Engelmann’s Quillwort from iNaturalist
Photo by Peter Schafran: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25181844
Photo by Peter Schafran: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25181844

Sources:

Government of Ontario. 2014. Engelmann’s Quillwort. Retrieved from:  https://www.ontario.ca/page/engelmanns-quillwort

Government of Ontario. 2017. Engelmann’s Quillwort Recovery Strategy. Retrieved from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/engelmanns-quillwort-recovery-strategy

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The Land Between is a National Charity #805849916RR0001.

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P.O. Box 1368, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
705-457-1222 | info@thelandbetween.ca

We respectfully acknowledge that The Land Between is located within Williams Treaty 20 Mississauga Anishinaabeg territory and Treaty 61 Robinson-Huron treaty territory, in the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We respectfully acknowledge that these First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.

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