Abstract:The spore propagations of Microlepia strigosa (Thunb.) Presl and M. platyphylla (D. Don) J. Sm. with leaf mould substrate were studied. The process of their spore germination and gametophyte development were observed and photoed by microscope. The results indicate that both of them have similar behaviors in spore germination and gametophyte development, i.e. having spore homospory, trilete, growing slow. The spore germination need light and is of the Vittaria-type. The gametophyte slowly and is of the Adiantum-type. The prothallia are cordate or other shapes with no trichome, most of the adult gametophytes are dioecious, sex organs are of the Leptosporangiate-type. They have not only lots of primordial behaviors but also some evolutionistic behaviors. The characters of gametophyte and the place of phylogenesis of M. platyphylla are more primordial than that of M. strigosa. It is the first time to be observed that the chloroplasts gather in cell of gametophyte of M. platyphylla when the cell dies down, the polygonal chloroplasts are lying as a tessellation in cell of prothallium of M. strigosa when the cell break down, and some chloroplasts are lying like a chain in some cells of gametophyte of M. strigosa.
