The germination of Tmesipteris spores
Spores of Tmesipteris elongata Dang, germinated in axenic culture on a nutrient medium containing mineral elements and 0.2% glucose after 8 months in the dark. No spores germinated in cultures kept in the light. Initiating germination, the monolete laesura (scar) split in the middle. As the laesura ruptured to its ends, the cell bulged out. The first division was perpendicular to the polar axis of the spore and formed distal and proximal cells. At one end of the proximal cell, brown materials accumulated in the wall. Transfer of the two-celled gametophyte to new media did not support further growth.