Carpospore germination and the life history of Cumagloia andersonii: some observations from culture

Abstract

The germination and development in culture of carpospores of Cumagloia andersonii (order Nemalionales, family Helminthocladiaceae) are described. Spores develop into a prostrate filament from which arises a branched upright system showing the basic construction of the multiaxial gametophyte plant; the cultured plants, however, lack the organization and normal external morphology of the gametophytes from the field, and are devoid of reproductive organs. Present studies indicate development of the gametophyte from carpospores with an intermediate prostrate stage; cytological and further culture studies are needed to describe the life history.