Bory's quillwort

Bory's quillwort is a rare relict plant belonging to the Isoetaceae family. Biologically, it is a spore-bearing vascular plant that serves as a unique evolutionary subject, preserving characteristics of ancient floral epochs. While it is not used as a mass food crop in traditional agriculture, it is of great interest for aquaculture and research aimed at biodiversity conservation.

The origin of this species is linked to oligotrophic water bodies in Europe. Its distribution range is extremely limited due to the plant's strict requirements for water purity and hydrological stability. The species is primarily found in specific conditions of soft-water lakes where nutrient concentrations are minimal and human impact is non-existent.

Botanical features of Bory's quillwort include a short corm-like stem and a cluster of linear, quill-like leaves forming a dense rosette. The root system is poorly developed, adapted for anchorage in bottom substrates. Reproduction occurs through spores maturing at the base of the leaves, making the natural regeneration process highly sensitive to changes in water levels.

Key climatic and environmental requirements include permanent submergence and high water clarity. The plant is extremely demanding regarding soil chemical composition, preferring poor, silty, or sandy bottom sediments with low mineralization levels. In cultivation settings, the main task is maintaining a low pH and preventing eutrophication, as excess nitrogen and phosphorus are lethal to the species.

Economic use of the quillwort is limited to botanical collections and biotechnology research. The plant is not prone to typical agricultural pests but faces extinction due to the loss of natural habitats. Major limiting factors include:

• changes in lake hydrological regimes;
• water pollution from wastewater;
• invasions of aggressive aquatic species;
• climate change affecting water temperature profiles.