Studies on the Gametophytes of Eight Chinese Species of Dryopteris (Dryopteridaceae)

Abstract The gametophyte morphology and development of eight Chinese species of Dryopteris (Dryopteridaceae) were studied and described. Spores of all species were monolete and reniform. The germination pattern was the Vittaria-type. Germinal filaments were uniseriate, sometimes biseriate and the prothallial development was the Aspidium-type. Adult gametophytes in culture were cordiform, elongate-cordiform to cordiform-reniform, having wings with marginal and superficial trichomes. Gametangia belong to leptosporangiate fern type. Spore size, germination time, numbers of trichomes, morphology of rhizoids, formation time of the gametangia and gametophyte margin shape were different among the studied species.