BIOLOGÍA REPRODUCTIVA DE PELLAEA OVATA (DESV.) WEATH. (PTERIDACEAE-PTERIDOPHYTA)*

Abstract

We describe the life cycle of Pellaea ovata
(Desv.) Weath. Study material was collected
from montane rain forest in San Bartolo
Tutotepec, State of Hidalgo, Mexico. Spores
were sown in glass flasks prepared in the
following manner: the flasks were layered
with ceramic, river stone, mosquito net and
two culture media (soil and maquique),
all previously sterilized and enclosed in
plastic bags tied with copper wire. The
cycle proved to be typically isosporic with
prothallial development of the Adiantum
type. The gametophytes were cordate or
cordate-lobulate and reproduced asexually,
forming more gametophytes from day 223
onward. These gametophytes formed antheridia and archegonia after 244 days. Young
sporophytes were obtained around 390 days
after sowing.