Abstract:The spore germination and the gametophyte development in Nephrolepis auriculata were observed by light microscope. The mature spores are yellow-brown, monolete, opaque, bean-shaped in equatorial view and elliptical in polar view with a smooth surface. The spore germination pattern is of the Vittaria-type. It occurs about 15 days after sowing and forms a filament of 5 -12 cells in length. The gametophyte development is of the Aspidiumtype, coming into being the prothallus cells about 30 days after sowing followed by young asymmetrical prothalli at the 45th day. The mature prothalli are symmetrically heart-shaped. Unicellular hairs spread on the upper and lower surfaces and along the margin of the prothalli. The antheridium is visible 60 days after sowing, pelletlike, consisting of three cells. Within the following ten days, archegonium is available. The neck of mature archegonium is composed of 4 rows of cells and 3-5 layers of cells high. Young embryos are present within one month after fertilization.
