Gametophytes of Marattia sambucina and Macroglossum smithii

Abstract

Germination of the spores results first in a plate and then in a mass. In old gametophytes the midrib may contain large amts. of starch. Rhizoids of both spp. are colorless; those of Marattia sambucina are sometimes multicellular. Antheridia on old gametophytes are very large. The archegonium is short and broad; occasionally a wall is formed between the neck canal nuclei. Apogamy consisting in the development of tracheids was found in two gametophytes of M. sambucina which had borne both antheridia and archegonia.