PlantNET Home DONATE TODAY | PlantNET Home | Search NSW Flora | Contact Us  
FloraOnline
Introduction
Plant Name Search
Index Search
Spatial Search
Identification Keys
Classification
Glossary
WeedAlert
Telopea Journal
Other Data Sources
NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA ONLINE Printable Page

Class PSILOPSIDA

Description: The Psilopsida are small, epiphytic or terrestrial, vascular plants which lack flowers and reproduce sexually by spores. The herbaceous sporophyte consists of a creeping rhizome (that lacks true roots) and an aerial stem which is undivided or dichotomously branched and has simple scale-like or leaf-like appendages (called 'leaves').

Reproduction is by spores that are uniform in size, and are borne in sporangia which are fused into capsule-like synangia. The spores germinate into small inconspicuous gametophytes (prothalli) which produce the sex cells, and after fusion of these cells the independent sporophyte develops.


Distribution and occurrence: World: 1 family, 2 genera, 17 species, pantropical to southern temperate regions. Australia: 1 family, 2 genera, 8 species, all States except S.A.

Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept:

One family in NSW: PSILOTACEAE

  Privacy | Copyright | Disclaimer | About PlantNET | Cite PlantNET