The micro‐morphological characteristics of Cyrtomium Presl (Dryopteridaceae) from Shandong, China and their taxonomic significance

Abstract

The fern genus Cyrtomium is generally recognized as a genus difficult to identify taxonomically. Here, the micro‐morphological characteristics of nine species and one cultivar of Cyrtomium from Shandong Province of China were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM): C. confertiserratum, C. falcatum, C. fortunei, C. polypterum, C. reflexosquamatum, C. semifertile, C. shandongensis, C. tukusicola, C. yamamotoi and C. yamamotoi var. intermedium. The morphology of the pinna margin, upper and lower epidermis, indusia, shape of pinnae, sori distribution and spore morphology were carefully examined and photographed under SEM. The results showed that the micro‐morphological characteristics of the pinna margin, upper and lower epidermis, indusia and spore morphology were stable within species and show significant differences between interspecies. The results provide not only important scientific evidence for the micro‐morphological classification and identification of Cyrtomium, but also an important scientific basis for the development and utilization of this genus for medicine use and the protection of germplasm resources.