Morphology of Marsilea Systematic position Kingdom : Plantae - CEC
Morphology of Marsilea Systematic position Kingdom : Plantae - CEC
Morphology of Marsilea Systematic position Kingdom : Plantae - CEC
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These tubers serve as perennating organs, and are capable <strong>of</strong> tiding over the<br />
unfavourable conditions. On the return <strong>of</strong> favourable conditions, these tubers<br />
germinate to form new plants. Tuber formation has been reported in a few<br />
<strong>Marsilea</strong> species, such as M. minuta and M. hirsuta.<br />
Reproduction by spores (spore formation): <strong>Marsilea</strong> is a heterosporous<br />
fern, which produces two types <strong>of</strong> spores – microspores and megaspores in<br />
separate sporangia, borne in special bean-shaped bodies called the<br />
sporocarps.<br />
Sporocarps: Sporocarp is a bean-shaped to ovoid, nutlike structure, attached<br />
to the basal part <strong>of</strong> the petiole with the help <strong>of</strong> a stalk. It is green and s<strong>of</strong>t<br />
when young, but turns dark-brown at maturity. Usually one sporocarp is<br />
present at the base <strong>of</strong> each petiole, but in some species, the number varies<br />
from 2 – 20. Sometimes, the attachment <strong>of</strong> sporocarps with the petiole shows<br />
so much variation that different species can be distinguished on this particular<br />
character (Fig. 8); for example in M. polycarpa many sporocarps are attached<br />
on one side <strong>of</strong> the petiole in a single vertical row. In M. quadrifolia, pedicels<br />
(stalks) are united with one another, and then jointly inserted on the petiole. In<br />
M. minuta, the stalks <strong>of</strong> all the sporocarps though free, are attached to the<br />
petiole at a single point.
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