Isoetes melanopoda is a grass-like perennial, but often short lived, growing up to 40 cm tall with an
ephemeral growth period. The
deciduous bright green leaves are linear (quill-like), with black bases. Each mature leaf has a single
sporangium, producing
both male spores (
microspores) and female spores (
megaspores).
Isoetes melanopoda has a discontinuous range within the
Midwest, Eastern, and Southern states of the US, the populations are often disjunct and often found in uncommon
microhabitats. It is listed as an endangered species in Minnesota, where it is found in the southwestern edge of the state growing in shallow seepage pools with water draining from layers of
Sioux quartzite or pools formed by rain. The plants grow on
rocky outcrops in soil pockets in pools of water or at the edges of pools where soil has accumulated. It is also listed as endangered in the states of Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Tennessee. == References ==