Propagation of a Threatened Plant Species: American Hart's-Tongue Fern

Abstract

Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana is a rare North American fern species whose range is being threatened by habitat alteration. Research efforts were undertaken to ensure survival of the southern population by applying horticultural techniques to propagate new plants for reintroduction. Several techniques were used to induce spore germination. Aseptic techniques included direct plating of spores onto agar medium in petri dishes and dusting spores into test tubes filled with liquid medium. Spores were spread onto soil samples taken from the fern habitats and onto various other propagation media. Prothalli grown in nutrient solution were transferred onto various nonsterile conventional horticultural media. Results indicated that germination in the nutrient solution and subsequent transfer of prothalli was more efficient and promoted survival of propagules compared to subculture from solidified medium.