How does Psilotum reproduce?

How does Psilotum reproduce?

Germinate and give rise to a new plant of Psilotum. The sporophyte reproduces asexually by the formation of spores. Spores are produce in special tri-lobed structure called synangia. At maturity, many of the dichotomously branched aerial shoots become fertile and produce tri-locular sporangia known as synangia.

How do you propagate a whisk fern?

Propagation: Psilotum nudum is propagated by division or by spores. Division can be done at anytime of the year. Spores can take up to 1 year to germinate and must be kept in the dark.

What is the unique feature of Psilotum?

The unusual features of Psilotum that suggest an affinity with early vascular plants include dichotomously branching sporophytes, aerial stems arising from horizontal rhizomes, a simple vascular cylinder, homosporous and terminal eusporangia and a lack of roots.

What is the nature of stele in Psilotum?

The stele is protostelic and is surrounded by a typical endodermis which is followed by a layer of pericycle. The shape of the xylem varies with the diameter of the axis. Usually it is circular in outline. The xylem is exarch and is surrounded by phloem.

Which is the reproductive organ of Psilotum?

Sex Organs: The gametophytes of Psilotum are monoecious (i.e., homothallic). Sex organs i.e., antheridia and archegania, are superficial and scattered over the surface of the gametophyte (Fig. 7.18A-C). Generally, antheridia are more in number than archegonia.

Why Psilotum is known as whisk fern?

Its common name, whisk fern, alludes to its use in the past as a small broom, made by tying a handful of its branches together. It is sometimes found in cultivation (either accidentally, as a weed in greenhouses, or deliberately, in the form of a number of cultivars).

How do you grow Psilotum Nudum?

nudum thrives best in partial shade and can tolerate more sunny locations, and prefers moist but well-drained soil. Plants will grow in full shade but are somewhat reduced in density, extent and size. It also is commonly found growing as an epiphyte throughout Central Florida.

Do whisk ferns need water to reproduce?

Conifers and flowering plants evolved to survive hostile, dry conditions. Ferns require water for sexual reproduction.

Why is Psilotum called whisk fern?

Why Psilotum is called primitive?

This is primarily because psilophytes are the only living vascular plants to lack both roots and leaves. Though they have been considered “primitive,” recent developmental and molecular evidence suggests that the group may actually be reduced from fern-like ancestors.

Is Psilotum Homosporous or heterosporous?

homosporous
Psilotum is fern-like vascular plants, also known as whisk ferns. Most of them are homosporous, while some may be heterosporous.

Why is the sporangium of Psilotum called Synangium?

The sporangia are borne in triads. They have very short stalks. They are borne in the axils of small bifid leaves on the aerial branches. This triad of sporangia is called a synangium.

What division is Psilotum nudum?

division Pteridophyta
whisk fern, either of the two species of the primitive fern genus Psilotum in the family Psilotaceae of the order Psilotales and the class Psilotopsida of the division Pteridophyta (the lower vascular plants). A whisk fern has water- and food-conducting tissues but lacks true leaves and roots.

How do you grow Psilotum nudum?

Where does Psilotum grow?

It is found in tropical Africa, Central America, tropical and subtropical North America, South America, tropical Asia, Australia, Hawaii, southern Japan and even a few spots in SW Europe.

Do Psilotum have roots?

Morphology and Life History of Psilotales The psilophyte stem lacks roots; it is anchored instead by a horizontally creeping stem called a rhizome. The erect portion of the stem bears paired enations, outgrowths which look like miniature leaves, but unlike true leaves, the enations have no vascular tissue.

What is the sub division of Psilotum?

Division. Tracheophyta – vascular plants, tracheophytes. Subdivision.

How does branching occur in the sporophyte of Psilotum?

In Psilotum, much like in bryophytes (especially mosses), the embryo starts out with a single pole of growth that points away from the foot. Growth from the apical cell of this pole produces the undifferentiated branching sporophyte axis (Fig. 5).

What is Synangium Psilotum?

Synangium is a trilocular or three chambered, spore bearing structure in Psilotum. It is considered as a fusion product of three sporangia. Location: axils of foliar leaves on aerial shoot.

Is Psilotum nudum is endangered?

Psilotum nudum is a rare and endangered plant species distributed discontinuously in few pockets and is endemic to the Seshachalam Hills of Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh. The plant is a living example of a primitive, once much larger group.