Woodwardia Radicans Research Articles

KEANEKARAGAMAN TUMBUHAN PAKU (PTERIDOPHYTA) DI KAWASAN WISATA AIR TERJUN KALIBENDO BANYUWANGI

Kalibendo Waterfall located in the plantation area of coffee, rubber, and clove in Kampunganyar Village, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. The area has a height up to 825 meters with choppy topography, and a type B climate on the Schmidt-Ferguson scale so that it is a suitable environment for ferns (Pteridophyta). In the last five years, the Kalibendo waterfall area has been developed as a tourist area so that it can potentially affect the diversity of Pteridophyta. This research aims to study the diversity, abundance of species, and the importance index of Pteridophyta in the Kalibendo waterfall. This is a quantitative descriptive research with cruise methods along 650 meters and purposive sampling technique. Results of the study found 4 Ordo, 9 Families, and 20 Pteridophyta Species scattered in the ecosystem of clove, rubber, and river stands. The abundance of Pteridophyta individuals in the Kalibendo Banyuwangi waterfall tourist area was 1029 individuals. The species with the highest abundance value was Pyrrosia piloselloides with 389 individuals, and the lowest was Woodwardia radicans with 2 individuals. The fern species that had the highest importance index (INP) is Pyrrosia piloselloides as much as 53.67%, KR 37.85%, and FR 15.83%. The highest value of H' Pteridophyta is located in the river ecosystem. The highest value of E' Pteridophyta is located in the river ecosystem which shows an even distribution of species at that location. Kata kunci: air terjun, keanekaragaman, pteridophyta, wisata

Comparative research of photosynthetic processes in selected poikilohydric organisms from Mediterranean and Central-European alpine habitats

Dehydration-induced decrease in photosynthetic activity was investigated in five poikilohydric autotrophs using chlorophyll fluorescence parameters recorded during controlled desiccation. For the study, two representatives of mosses from alpine zone (Rhizomnium punctatum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus) of the Jeseníky Mts. (Czech Republic) were used. Other two experimental species were mediterranean habitats liverwort (Pellia endiviifolia) and moss (Palustriella commutata), collected from under Woodwardia radicans canopy in the Nature Reserve Valle delle Ferriere (Italy). The last species was a liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha) collected from lowland site (Brno, Moravia, Czech Republic). We investigated the relationship between relative water content (RWC) and several chlorophyll fluorescence parameters evaluating primary photochemical processes of photosynthesis, such as effective quantum yield of photosynthetic processes in photosystem II (ΦPSII), and non-photochemical quenching (qN). With desiccation from fully wet (RWC = 100%) to dry state (RWC = 0%), ΦPSII exhibited a rapid (R. punctatum) and slow decline of ΦPSII (R. squarrosus, P. endiviifolia, M. polymorpha, and P. commutata). Shapes of dehydration-response curves were species-specific. RWC0.5, i.e. the RWC at which the sample showed half of maximum ΦPSII, reflected the species-specificity. It reached 65% in desiccation sensitive (R. punctatum), 53% and 43% in semi-tolerant (P. commutata and R. squarrosus), 24% and 18% in desiccation-tolerant species (P. endiviifolia and M. polymorpha). In all experimental species, non-photochemical quenching (qN) of absorbed light energy showed high values at RWC = 100% and a slight increase with desiccation. Steady state chlorophyll fluorescence (FS) remained high during desiccation and was not correlated with ΦPSII.

Inventory and review of the Mio–Pleistocene São Jorge flora (Madeira Island, Portugal): palaeoecological and biogeographical implications

The occurrence of plant fossils on Madeira Island has been known since the mid-nineteenth century. Charles Lyell and George Hartung discovered a leaf bed rich in Lauraceae and fern fossils at São Jorge in 1854. The determinations were controversial but a full review was never performed. Here we propose possible geological settings for the fossiliferous outcrop, and present an inventory and a systematic review of the surviving specimens of the São Jorge macroflora. The São Jorge leaf bed no longer outcrops due to a landslide in 1865. It was possible to establish the two alternative volcano-stratigraphical settings in the sedimentary intercalations from the Middle Volcanic Complex, ranging in age from 7 to 1.8 Ma. The descriptions of Heer (1857), Bunbury (1859) and Hartung & Mayer (1864) are reviewed based on 82 surviving specimens. From the initial 37 taxa, we recognize only 20: Osmunda sp., Pteridium aquilinum, Asplenium cf. onopteris, aff. Asplenium, cf. Polystichum, cf. Davallia, Woodwardia radicans, Filicopsida gen. et sp. indet. 1 and 2, Ocotea foetens, Salix sp., Erica arborea, cf. Vaccinium, Rubus sp, cf. Myrtus, Magnoliopsida gen. et sp. indet. 1 to 3, Liliopsida gen. et sp. indet. 1. Magnoliopsida gen. et sp. indet. 4 is based on one previously undescribed flower or fruit. The floristic composition of the São Jorge fossils resembles the current floristic association of temperate stink laurel (Ocotea foetens) forest, suggesting a warm and humid palaeoclimate and indicating that laurel forests were present in Macaronesia at least since the Gelasian, a time when the palaeotropical geofloral elements were almost extinct in Europe.

Convergence in leaf phenology traits of two understorey ferns in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Plants control leaf phenology to maximize annual photosynthetic product. Although ferns play an important ecological role in many habitats, especially forests, their phenology traits have been poorly studied. Here, we investigate the leaf phenology of two ferns of the forest understorey and analyse the relationship between the timing of leaf emergence and spore dispersal and the effect of between-year climatic variation. We compared the leafing and sporing phenologies of two ferns with very large (>2 m), overwintering leaves: Culcita macrocarpa and Woodwardia radicans. We regularly monitored individuals of six populations in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula during a 3-year study. We studied eight phenology variables: leafing start date, leafing end date, leaf expansion time, number of new leaves per individual, between-individual synchrony, within-individual synchrony, percentage of fertile leaves and spore release date. We also determined leaf mass per area (LMA) and gathered data on air temperature and humidity. Both C. macrocarpa and W. radicans produce few leaves (~2 leaves individual⁻¹ year⁻¹), which expand simultaneously for a very long period (from midwinter to early summer), are retained for more than 1 year (37 and 19 months, respectively) and have relatively high LMAs. Such traits, together with large leaf size, have also been found in seed plants from the forest understorey and represent adaptations to this light-limited environment. Spores of both study ferns are simultaneously released in late winter, with little between-year variation caused by differences in air humidity. This remarkable similarity between species suggests that the convergence in timing of leaf emergence favours the convergence in timing of spore dispersal.

Darwin, Hooker and Arruda Furtado and the palaeobotany of Azores: Rediscovering the first collections

The historical investigation of the palaeobotany of the Azores Islands led to the recent rediscovery of the leaf fossils initially collected by Arruda Furtado in the late 19th century. Advised by Sir Charles Darwin and Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker to search for plant fossils, Arruda Furtado found the first specimens in São Miguel Island, and sent them to the UK for further identification. A recent search at the Natural History Museum, UK, revealed that from a total of sixteen specimens, only one specimen survived. In the same tray, two undescribed specimens from Furnas (São Miguel) were found. Here we describe and identify them as Woodwardia radicans, Laurus azorica and an unidentified fern. The taphonomy indicates that these fossils were preserved in a trachytic tuff, possibly related to the explosive episodes of the Furnas volcano, indicating that they could be late Pleistocene to Holocene in age. This report aims to highlight the potential of future palaeobotanical studies of the Azores Islands.

Bilan des opérations de conservation in situ réalisées entre 1987 et 2004 en Corse : quelles leçons pour demain ?

The Mediterranean basin is one of the 34 hotspots of terrestrial diversity and endemism. This region is facing an anthropogenic climate change, including a rise in mean temperature of between 2.2 and 5.1°C, a decline of 4-27% of annual rainfall during the XXIst century, with drastic changes in the pattern of rainfall distribution. According to this scenario, the region may be especially vulnerable, with probably more than 2,000 extinctions of plant species. Located in the Western part of the Mediterranean basin, the mountainous island of Corsica harbors a particularly rich flora, made of 2858 taxa of vascular plants, including 11% of endemics and 6% of Corsica-restricted taxa. Upon the expected climatic shift, Corsica island is a central area in terms of conservation of terrestrial plant diversity. In this context, a satisfactory evaluation of all realized attempts of plant conservation is crucial. This is the main goal of this first report presenting the assessment of sixteen years of in situ conservation operations that were carried out from 1984 to 2004 in Corsica. This paper gathers a set of 40 operations of plant population transfers in contexts of either restoration of rare and threatened habitat or safeguarding of populations of endangered plant taxa. All the transferred populations were protected (excepted Achillea maritima whose only picking in the intervention area is regulated) and part of the European Directive CE 92/43. All the operations except two came within the framework of the European Life program “Conservation des habitats naturels et des espèces végétales d’intérêt communautaire prioritaire de la Corse“ managed by the “Office de l’environnement de la Corse”. The two remaining operations, dealing respectively with Ophrys eleonorae and Achillea maritima conservation, were independently carried out by the French Forest Service (Office national des forêts) and the Conservatoire du littoral in Corsica. The data presented include 20 introductions, 18 population reinforcements and two in situ population transfers. Operations succeeded for 21 of them and failed for 16 of them. The three remaining operations could not be evaluated for various reasons. Among the 16 transferred taxa, four were phanerophytes (Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa, Genista aetnensis, Tamarix africana and Vitex agnus-castus), seven were hemicryptophytes (Anchusa crispa, Kosteletzkya pentacarpos, Lippia nodiflora, Naufraga balearica, Rouya polygama, Silene velutina and Woodwardia radicans) and three were chamephytes (Achillea maritima, Armeria pungens and Brassica insularis). The two remaining taxa were either geophyte (Ophrys eleonorae) or therophyte (Linaria flava subsp. sardoa). Interventions were carried out into coastal sandy (eight sites), riparian (three sites), flooded (two sites) and rocky (three sites) habitats. These operations provide new insights from methodological perspectives (intervention process, partner interactions, intervention modalities…) as well as enhance our knowledge of the biological models associated with moved populations (ecology and biology of rare Mediterranean species). The limits of these programs in terms of modalities of monitoring and data availability, as well as the way to improve the timing and the ability of partners to be involved in the process are exposed in order to optimize the success of future operations of habitat restoration.

Leaf hydraulic architecture and water relations of three ferns from contrasting light habitats

Leaf hydraulic architecture and water relations of three fern species were measured. The species selected were adapted either to deeply shaded (Woodwardia radicans), moderately shaded (Dryopteris affinis) or moderately sunny (Polystichum setiferum) habitats, as confirmed by microclimatic measurements performed in the field. Leaf water potential (Ψleaf) was lower and leaf conductance to water vapour (gL) was higher in P. setiferum than in the shade-adapted ferns. Leaf osmotic potential and water potential at the turgor loss point were lower in the sun-adapted species than in the other ferns. Leaf hydraulic resistance (Rleaf) was lowest in P. setiferum and Rleaf was correlated with gL across species. Low Rleaf was coordinated with low rachis hydraulic resistance (Rrachis). Low values of Rrachis in P. setiferum were not due to the presence of wide xylem conduits as checked on the basis of anatomical measurements, but to increased radial permeability of vascular bundles. This was a consequence of the absence of endodermis surrounding the vascular bundles in P. setiferum, which was observed in the rachis of shade-adapted species. We conclude that hydraulic adjustment of fern fronds is a key component of adaptation of pteridophytes to contrasting light habitats.

Spore Maturation and Release of Two Evergreen Macaronesian Ferns, Culcita macrocarpa and Woodwardia radicans, along an Altitudinal Gradient

Abstract The variables affecting spore phenology have been poorly studied in contrast with the abundant literature on leaf phenology. This paper deals with the influence of altitude and canopy cover on spore maturation and release of Culcita macrocarpa and Woodwardia radicans in the island of Sao Miguel, Azores. The study was conducted during one sporing season at three altitudes (400, 600, and 800 m). In both species spore maturation occurred in autumn and may be controlled by the previous accumulation of photosynthates. Spores were not released until late winter owing to a requirement for dry weather conditions. Dispersal took place later at higher altitude, due to lower temperature and higher humidity. This gradual liberation of spores along an altitudinal gradient is important for the endemic Azores bullfinch Pyrrhula murina (a bird that feeds on spores in winter), providing food over an extended period.

Environmental sex determination in ferns: effects of nutrient availability and individual density in Woodwardia radicans

1 In environmental sex determination (ESD) gender is decided after conception, depending on the environment, rather than being genetically fixed. ESD in plants has been mainly studied in angiosperms, where the dominant form of ESD is sexual lability. Surprisingly, ESD has rarely been studied in homosporous ferns, the only plants in which ESD is the rule, rather than the exception. 2 Here, we address the mechanism underlying ESD for the fern Woodwardia radicans by experimentally manipulating nutrient availability and gametophyte density. 3 Stress (limited nutrient supply, crowding) affected sexual expression in W. radicans gametophytes in a way compatible with ESD. Under good growth conditions (low density or high nutrient), gametophytes matured sexually at a relatively large size and turned into females and subsequently into bisexuals. Under harsh growth conditions, gametophytes matured sexually at a smaller size and turned into males. 4 Interestingly, gametophyte sexual expression was consistent with the size-advantage model, because the number of archegonia increased with gametophyte size, but not the number of antheridia. 5 The sex switch threshold size was variable and decreased with increasing stress, as predicted by age and size to maturity models. 6 Synthesis. Sexual expression in fern gametophytes can be fruitfully studied within the ESD theoretical framework. Stress induced male expression in gametophytes in a way compatible with ESD. In addition, size-related patterns of sexual expression were consistent with the size-advantage model, because female function benefited more from a larger size than did male function. Finally, the sex switch threshold size was variable and decreased with increasing stress, a result predicted by age and size to maturity models but seldom empirically tested before.

Do antheridiogens act via gametophyte size? A study of Woodwardia radicans (Blechnaceae)

For many plants, sex is not fixed by genotype but determined by environmental conditions during development. In homosporous pteridophytes, sex is environmentally determined by the presence or absence of antheridiogens, maleness-inducing pheromones. It has been proposed that antheridiogens primarily reduce growth rate, with small gametophyte size responsible for maleness. To test this hypothesis, the effects of antheridiogen and intergametophytic competition on gender expression and gametophyte size were studied in a culture experiment with Woodwardia radicans. We found that (1) antheridiogen inhibited growth of gametophytes; and (2) slow growth favored maleness, whereas fast growth favored femaleness, irrespective of the presence or absence of antheridiogen. Both conclusions are consistent with the hypothesis that, in W. radicans, antheridiogen effect is mediated by size. They also agree with the "size-advantage" hypothesis in which energetic limitations associated with relatively small individual size impose a less severe limitation for male reproductive success than for female reproductive success. The results are also discussed with regard to a genetic sex-determining pathway that has recently been identified.

Cyathodium Kunze (Cyathodiaceae: Marchantiales), a tropical liverwort genus and family new to Europe, in Southern Italy

The tropical liverwort Cyathodium, and the family Cyathodiaceae are reported, as new to Europe, growing beneath a deeply shaded dripping recess in the Valle delle Ferriere, a limestone valley near Amalfi, on the Sorrento Peninsula, Southern Italy. The Italian specimens closely match C. foetidissimum Schiffn. from the tropics, but internal cells in the air chambers and crystals in epidermal cells are noted for the first time in the genus. As assumed for a population of the tropical fern Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm. living in the same area, the Italian population of Cyathodium is most probably a pre-glacial relic rather than a recent arrival from sub-Saharan Africa. Thallus structure in Cyathodium is compared with that of two other deep-shade marchantialean liverworts, Dumortiera and Monoclea, which also exhibit structural adaptation to maximize interception of low irradiances. As in the protonemata of Schistostega, the green luminescence in Cyathodium results from light reflection and is probably a mechanism enhancing light interception.

Effect of storage method on spore viability in five globally threatened fern species.

Spore germination of five globally threatened fern species [Culcita macrocarpa C. Presl, Dryopteris aemula (Aiton) O. Kuntze, D. corleyi Fraser-Jenkins, D. guanchica Gibby and Jermy and Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm.] was determined after 1, 6 or 12 months of storage in glass vials (dry storage) or on agar (wet storage) at -20, 5 or 20 degrees C. In all species, storage technique, storage temperature and the technique-temperature interaction all had a significant effect on germination percentage. In most cases, the germination percentage was best maintained by wet storage at 5 or 20 degrees C. In the case of the hygrophilous species C. macrocarpa and W. radicans, 6 or 12 months' dry storage killed most spores. Only Woodwardia radicans germinated in the dark during wet storage at 20 degrees C. Wet storage at 5 degrees C prevented dark germination, and reduced bacterial and fungal contamination. Wet storage at -20 degrees C killed all or most spores in all species. In the three Dryopteris species, the differences among the storage conditions tested were smaller than in C. macrocarpa and W. radicans, and the decline in spore viability during storage was less marked, with high germination percentages being observed after 12 months of dry storage at all three temperatures. Dry storage, which has lower preparation time and space requirements than wet storage, was generally more effective at the lower temperatures (-20 or 5 degrees C).

Effect of Temperature on Germination in Northernmost Populations ofCulcita macrocarpaandWoodwardia radicans

Abstract:Spore germination ofCulcita macrocarpaC. Presl andWoodwardia radicans(L.) Sm. from nine populations at the northern limit of their distribution, in the northwest Iberian Peninsula, was investigated. In a first experiment, population type and temperature (10, 15, 20, and 25 °C) were both found to affect germination percentage and germination time significantly in both species. There were also significant interactions between the two factors with respect to the percentage germination ofC. macrocarpaand the germination time ofW. radicans.InC. macrocarpathere was an outstanding increase in germination time at 15 °C and, above all, at 10 °C, whereas inW. radicansthe most remarkable result was the existence of two populations with especially low germination percentages. In a second experiment, germination of 20 individuals from each population ofW. radicanswas compared with similar inter‐population differentiation. Although its variability possibly has a genetic basis, these species are able to germinate successfully, and it seems probable that the season in which it occurs depends more on spore release than on thermal conditions in the populations. The effect of temperature on germination in both species does not explain their coastal distribution. Temperature is probably more important in limiting other stages of the life cycle.

Identification of site-types important for rare ferns in an area of deciduous woodland in northwest Spain

The Eume woods in northwest Spain are an important refuge for a number of endangered ferns, including Culcita macrocarpa, Cystopteris diaphana, Dryopteris aemula, Dryopteris guanchica, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense and Woodwardia radicans. Because some of these species are inconspicuous or difficult to identify in the field, we attempted to develop simple floristic criteria to identify sites important or potentially important for these species (‘high-value sites’). Having drawn up field-layer vascular plant inventories for 44 plots in the study area, we considered two major strategies. Under strategy 1, we looked for those conspicuous species which best discriminated between plots containing the endangered species (‘current-high-value plots’) and all other plots. Under strategy 2, we first carried out a global plots-by-species classification using indicator species analysis (Hill et al. 1975) and then looked for those conspicuous species which best discriminated between groups containing current-high-value plots and all other groups. For our data set, the second strategy proved more effective. The best criterion identified was ‘If two or more of Luzula sylvatica, Viola riviniana and Rubus spp. are present, then that plot is high-value’. We include a listing of a BASIC program for the discriminant analysis algorithm, which we consider to have a number of potential applications in vegetation science and biogeography.

Light dependent spore germination in Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm

Abstract The spores of Woodwardia radicans can germinate indifferently either in water or in culture media containing mineral salts at temperatures (15-24°C) falling within a range believed optimal for many other ferns (15-30 C). The spores are photosensitive, will not germinate in the dark and the addition of gibberellic acid is ineffective in substituting a light requirement. Spore germination was induced by white and red light and phytochrome seems to be implicated in the control of germination since far-red light (and not the blue irradiation) can reverse the stimulating effect of the red light. Spore morphology and spore germination pattern was studied using light and scanning electron microscopes. It was concluded that the progressive disappearance of W. radicans from the Italian localities is not due to difficulties in spore germination but is related to problems that arise during the subsequent stages.

Chain Ferns of Florida

Woodwardia is a genus of rather large, terrestrial ferns with mostly ascending to erect rhizomes. The species native in the United States, however, typically have creeping rhizomes. The genus includes 11 or 12 species, is worldwide in its distribution, and is one of a comparatively few genera characterized by boreal distribution (Copeland, 1947). Three species of Woodwardia, commonly known as chain ferns, occur in Florida. Woodwardia virginica and W. areolata are native species which occur primarily on the Atlantic Coastal Plain and extend from Florida to Texas and northward to Nova Scotia. Scattered inland localities also exist for both species. Woodwardia radicans is native to the Old World, but is cultivated and has reportedly escaped in peninsular Florida (Small, 1938). All three species possess distinctive leaf venation, with elongate areoles arranged in chain-like fashion along the costae and/or costules. In W. areolata, an extensive network of areoles extends to the margins of the leaf, whereas in W. virginica and W. radicans the veins are simple and forked beyond the areoles and are free at the margins. Elongate sori also are arranged in chain-like fashion along the costae and/or costules in each species. Woodwardia virginica, the Virginia or Giant Chain Fern, and Woodwardia radicans, the European Chain Fern, were originally placed in the genus Blechnum (Linnaeus, 1771), although Smith (1793) later transferred them to his genus Woodwardia, with W. radicans the type species. Subsequently, Presl (1851) founded the genus Anchistea for W. virginica, although only the glandular indusia and the presence of a single row of areoles distinguish this species from the other species of Woodwardia (Morton & Neidorf, 1956). Today both species are typically included in the genus Woodwardia (Copeland, 1947; Wherry, 1964; Fernald, 1970; Lakela & Long, 1976). Some workers, however, still recognize the genus Anchistea (Radford et al., 1964; Small, 1938; McVaugh & Pyron, 1951). Woodwardia areolata, the Net-vein or Dwarf Chain Fern, was first named Acrostichum areolatum (Linnaeus, 1753). Smith (1793) included the species in Woodwardia (as W. angustifolia), although it was not until much later that Moore (1857) called the species W. areolata. Today some botanists (Fernald, 1970; Lakela and Long, 1976) use this name. Presl (1851), however, established the genus Lorinseria, and many taxonomists (Copeland, 1947; Small, 1938; McVaugh and Pyron, 1951) consider L. areolata to be the correct name for the species. Wherry (1964) felt that the completely areolate venation and marked dimorphism of this species justified its segregation into a separate genus. Much morphological data are available for these species (Shaver, 1954; Wherry, 1964; Small, 1938; Fernald, 1970), but comparative anatomical data are almost totally lacking. In this study, the anatomy of W. virginica and W. radicans is compared with that of W. areolata, and these data are correlated with the two taxonomic systems currently in use for these species. Plant materials of W. virginica and W. areolata were collected in Alachua County, Florida. Plants of W. radicans were obtained from the Strybling Arboretum in San

A Parcel of Ferns from Stephens County, Georgia

mental. The back end of the lath house is a stucco wall, now covered with ivy, where originally there was a beautiful old pepper tree. In recent years, with the construction of storm drains, the water table has gone down and after several drought years all the old and beautiful pepper trees in the neighborhood died, including ours. In the completed lath house we laid out brick walks and constructed a little ravine where some rock ferns could be grown. I also planted an English yew tree, to satisfy my desire for the woods. In the center of the area I planted a Woodwardia radicans at the time the house was enlarged. It is tremendous now. The arching fronds produce buds which root and form new plants in the winter and late spring. These I cut away and hope I can find someone who wants them. The central area has several tree ferns also. The design for a lath house planting, or any other kind of garden for that matter, is a personal matter, like painting a picture: Two can't do it. Really, if you want a fern garden, it is because you love ferns. It is the gardener who hasn't much money to spend but has lots of love to give his plants who has the best luck with ferns, for every fern must be studied and loved for itself alone. In future articles I shall write about the kinds of ferns suitable for a lath house in the Los Angeles area and about some of the problems to be solved in growing them. 5450 CARLIN ST., Los ANGELES 16, CALIFORNIA.

On the Gaps in the Stele of some Polypodiaceae

1. In some creeping rhizomes of Polypodiaceae, leaves are arranged in two rows on the dorsal side of the rhizome. This is, however, to be seen in comparatively rare cases, such as Microlepia pilosella, M. Wilfordi and M. marginata.2. In most creeping as well as erect rhizomes of Polypodiaceae, leaves ate arranged all round the rhizome, though the external appearance may not reveal this condition in the creeping rhizome.3. The arrangement of foliar gaps of the stele in the rhizome is generally constant in every species, though in some cases there are slight variations.4. The number and the position of departure of foliar traces are generally constant in each species. The former varies according to species from one to seven or more, at the point of departure from the gap.5. The stele in some species shows solenostelic construction; e. g. Microlepia pilosella, M. Wilfordi, M. marginata.6. Some species have the stele of transitional type between the solenostelic and the dictyostelic; e. g. Adiantum pedatum, A. monochlamys.7. Rhizomes of most species of Polypodiaceae have dictyostelic stele. They may be classified as follows.A. Rhizomes with 1/3 phyllotaxy.I. Those with transverse commissures or with two and three meristeles in a cross section of the stele.a. A leaf with a single foliar trace.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Athyrium nipponicum.β. Counterclockwise phyllotaxy……Athyrium yokoscence.b. A leaf with two foliar traces.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Diplazium Wichurae.β. Counterclockwise phyllotaxy……Dryopteris decursivo-pinnata, Coniogramme fraxinea.c. A leaf with three foliar traces.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Plystichum lepidocaulon, P. aculeatum var. japonicum.II. Those wite oblique commissures or with three and four meristéles in a cross section of the stele.a. A leaf with two foliar traces.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Dryopteris africana, D. sophoroides, D. japonica, D. gracilescens var. abbreviatum, Diplazium lanceum.β. Counterclockwise phyllotaxy……Diplazium japonicum, D. Conilii, Dryopteris setigera, Asplenium incisum, Onoclea sensibills.b. A leaf with three foliar traces.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Polystichum falcatum var. Fortunei.c. A leaf with several foliar traces.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Polystichum aristatum.B. Rhizomes with 2/5 phyllotaxy.a. A leaf with a single foliar trace.β. Counterclockwise phyllotaxy……Plagiogyria adnata.b. A leaf with two foliar traces.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Matteuccia orientalis.β. Counterclockwise phyllotaxy……Woodwardia radicans var. orientalis.c. A leaf with several foliar traces.α. Clockwise phyllotaxy……Polystichum varium.β. Counterclockwise phyllotaxy……Polystichum Standishii.8. The length of the gap directly varies with that of the internode, that is to say, both are closely related to each other, so that the relation of the two consecutive gaps in one and the same row and the commissure between them is constant. The result is that the dictyostely and solenostely in Polypodiaceae are determined irrespective of the length of the internode in contradiction to what has been hitherto assumed by some authors, but chiefly by the length of the gap in the respective species.

Southern California Fern Notes

two years earlier for C. fragilis and found the fern quite plentiful and in good condition. I gathered quite a quantity. Then determining upon following the canyon part way down, instead of keeping to the trail, we found in less than a quarter of a mile, just below a large clump of Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm., which was growing plentifully on the side of the mountain, a number of clumps of Adiantum pedatum L., a fern that I did not know was gro ing in this section of the country. To say that I was delighted with our find but feebly expresses my feelings. I shall not attempt to express how I felt, but leave it to the imagination of you who have suddenly stumbled upon something that you had never seen growing in its native wilds, and did not suppose was found within hundreds of miles. We also collected a few specimens of some of our commoner ferns and came home tired but well satisfied

Some Southern California Ferns

A mere novice I-one of the younger fern enthusiastsand I have only been studying the dainty plants a short time. In this time I have found the following ferns: Probably the most common are Gymnopteris triangularis (Kaulf.) Underw. and Pelloea andromedifolia (Kaulf.) F6e. Perhaps next comes Polypodium Scouleri H. & G. Then, on the higher mountain slopes, are found Dryopteris rigida arguta (Kaulf.) Und., Cheilanthes californica (Nutt.) Mett., Polystiehum muniturn (Kaulf.) Und. I have also collected Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm., Adiantum capillus-veneris L., Pellma ornithopus Hook., and another Pelloea, which I think is distinct from P. andromedifolia, but I am not yet sure. But the most pleasant surprise was when I stumbled upon a station for Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh., a fern that I had never seen but which I almost knew by intuition.