The microspore morphology of some species of Selaginella (Selaginellaceae) from India

Abstract

The microspore morphology of 10 Indian species of Selaginella based on colour, laesura length, ornamentation and size was investigated using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microspore ornamentation of some species and tetrad formation in mature microsporangia of S. ganguliana have been described for the first time. In addition, intraspecific variations in ornamentation patterns of microspores have been reported using SEM. These observations will be helpful in morphotaxonomy for accurate identification and cataloguing the basic data of selaginellaceous microspores, as well as systematics of the genus. © 2015 AASP - The Palynological Society.