Study On The Spore Morphology Of Polystichum From Yunnan

Spores of 61 species and 5 varieties of Polystichum from Yunnan were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Polystichum subfimbriatum W. M. Chu & Z. R. He and Polystichum attenuatum Tagawa & K. Iwatsuki were studied for the first time by SEM.The morphological differences of each species were carefully observed and compared, combining with previous results, we describe a comparision and analysis of totally 82 species and 5 varieties.In combination with the anatomy, cytology and phytogeoraphy, the classification of the genius Polystichum were discussed in detail in this paper.Finally, a key for the classification of species in Polystichum was given based on morphology of spores.The main results are as follows:1. The spores of the Polystichum were bilaterally symmetric, ellipsoidal or oval in polar view,bean-shaped,super elliptic or semicircular in equatorial view;monolete,the laesuras’length varies from different species,mostly were 1/2 to 3/4 of the equatorial diameter.The spores were (26-40)x(38-54)um in size.2. Spores of Polystichum were observed semicircular in equatorial view,it was the first time observed and described systematically.3. The ornamentational types of Polystichum were divided into 7 categories:A. Perisporium is no fold or the fold is no obvious-reticulate or cavernous or reticulate and cavernous-spinous, mastoid, tuberculed;B. Perisporium owns the fold of thick and big-reticulate or cavernous or reticulate and cavernous-granular;C. Perisporium owns the fold of carinate and lamellate-reticulate or cavernous or reticulate and cavernous-smooth, granular and mastoid;D. Perisporium owns the fold of carinate and spinulose-reticulate or cavernous"-smooth, granular and mastoid;E. Perisporium owns the fold of verrucose, blocky or verrucose and blocky-reticulate or cavernous or reticulate and cavernous-smooth, granular and mastoid;F. Perisporium owns the fold of cumulous-cavernous or reticulate and cavernous-smooth, granular, mastoid and capillaceous;G. Special ornamentation.4. Spore morphology is of great significance to some confusing sporotype species,in this paper,several species historically controversial are being discussed in detil based on morphology and spore morphology.Concluded that Polystichum yigongense and Polystichum neolobatum、Polystichum tsus-simense and Polystichum tsus-simense var.parvipinnulum、Polystichum daguamnse and Polystichum daguanense var. huashanicolum、Polystichum stenophyllum and Polystichum conaense are wholely different species.5. Spore morphology support that Polystichum falcilobum and Polystichum tsus-simense var. dissectum are the same species, but different from Polystichum tsus-simense。6. A key for the classification of species in Polystichum from Yunnan was given based on morphology of spores.