The surface coating on gametophytes of Ophioglossum engelmannii
The surfaces of gametophytes of Ophioglossum engelmannii from axenic culture were examined with electron microscopy and histochemistry. A thick granular coating covers the surface of mature regions of the gamctophyte. Although the apex of the gametophyte is free of the coating, deposition begins on the surface walls just basipetal to the apical region. The outer tangential wall of surface cells is strongly positive with periodic acid – Schiff's (PAS) staining and the coating is somewhat PAS positive. The outer portion of the outer tangential cell wall and the coating are positive for polyphenols substances. Lipid materials appear to be absent from the coating and the wall. The coating may help to protect these subterranean gametophytes from the biota of the soil.