Research Note: Observations on a terrestrial charophyte in a temperate environment

Summary This study describes the unusual growth forms of Chara (Charales) in a natural terrestrial environment in a temperate region (southern Siberia). Chara vulgaris had a moss-like habit and grew on wet soil in small compact turfs probably germinated from oospores. The upper branchlets were curved in a hook-liked manner and convergent above the apex of the thallus. The lowest internode and branchlets of fertile plants were ecorticate, whereas all other parts were normally corticated; the completely ecorticate plants were sterile. The terrestrial growth of charophytes had an irregular appearance but was successfully maintained in culture, providing a potential model of the first steps of land colonization by the ancestors of embryophytes.