It can be found from April to October in temporary pools, bogs, marshes, stream edges, swamps and along wet roadsides.

The bright green, pliable leaves are evergreen and become paler towards the base and gradually taper to a point at the apex.

The microspores are grey in colour, measure 20 to 30 μm in diameter, and are smooth to papillose (i.e. with minute projections) in texture.

[3] Isoetes engelmannii is widely distributed in eastern North America, more so than any other species in the genus occurring in that region.

[3] It can be found from April to October in habitats that include temporary pools, bogs, marshes, in streams or along their edges, swamps and along wet roadsides in ditches.