Gametophyte Development of Pteris fauriei

The spores of the Pteris fauriei were cultured in Murishige and Skoog medium, mixed soil and filter paper, and all stages of gametophyte development were observed under microcopy. The spore is tetrahedral, 27.4 μm×10.3 μm, and trilete. The spores germinated at about 4 days in the medium, 1 week in the mixed soil and 2 weeks in the filter paper after inoculation. The germination is of the Vittaria type, while the gametophyte development is of the Ceratopteris type. The prothallial plates are formed about 22 days in medium, 16 days in mixed soil and 40 days in filter paper. Prothalli are naked, without hairs. Abnormal shapes occurred in the young prothalli. The mature prothalli are cordate-thalloid. The sex organs formed about 4 to 11 weeks after spores were inoculated in the mixed soil. The antheridia are subglobose. The archegonial neck was usually inclined or curved towards the base of the prothallus atm aturity.