quillwort

[ kwil-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. any fernlike, aquatic marsh plant of the genus Isoëtes, characterized by clustered, quill-like leaves bearing sporangia in their bases.

quillwort

/ ˈkwɪlˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any aquatic tracheophyte plant of the genus Isoetes, with quill-like leaves at the bases of which are spore-producing structures: family Isoetaceae , phylum Lycopodophyta (club mosses, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of quillwort¹

First recorded in 1780–90; quill + wort ²

Example Sentences

Coastal plant life abounds: rock samphire, greater sea spurrey, rare ferns like the primitive quillwort, and multiple strange and beautiful lichens unseen on the continent.

From Time