The spores structure of ferns growing in mountain Gumitir coffee plantation area Jember Regency

Abstract

Ferns spores diverse in their characteristics such as shapes, types and sizes. These characteristis are commonly used for species identification instead of the roots, stems and leaves. People can use the spores characteristics to identify the ferns species. Therefore, there is a need to characterize the structure of ferns spores growing in mountain Gumitir coffee plantation area. The whole mount method was used for spore preparations. Parameters observed were the type, size, shape and ornamentation of the exine of spores. The results showed the spore characters of ten ferns species. Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link. Nephrolepis falcata (Cav.) C. Chr, Pyrrosia nummularifolia (Sw.) Ching and Pyrrosia penangiana (Hook.) Holtt had large spores size (51-100 μm), while the others had medium-sized spores (26-50 μm). Monolete spore type was found in nine species and trilete spore type was found only in Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link. Subspheroidal spore forms was found in six species, while oblate spore form was found in four species. Exine ornamentation pattern varied from rugulate (3 species), baculate (2 species), scabrate, faveolate, gemmate, verrucate and echinate (the last five only in one species) with (P/E) value 0.64 - 0.97.