Morphology and physiology of germination of Chara gymnopitys A. Braun. I. Development and morphology of the sporeling

Abstract

A study has been made of the germination stages and development of the protonema of Chara gymnopitys A. Braun. The development of this Australian species is compared with that previously described for European and Indian species of the Charales. A detailed account of the sequence of cell divisions prior to the first division of the apical cell of the adult plant is given. The dorsiventral development of the protonemal filament and of the "shoot" is noted. The resulting dorsiventrality of the mature plant is discussed. The development and structure of the rhizoids is compared with that of the "stem" portion of the plant. A technique for collecting and germinating Chara spores under sterile conditions is fully described.