Gametophytes of <i>Lycopodium obscurum</i> as grown in axenic culture

Abstract

Gametophytes of Lycopodium obscurum were grown from spores in axenic culture on a medium containing inorganic nutrients and sucrose. The prothalli developed into thick, disk-shaped gametophytes which bore antheridia. No archegonia were observed on these 1-year-old gametophytes. The morphology of the prothalli in culture was essentially that described for prothalli of L. obscurum from nature. However, these Lycopodium gametophytes in culture developed without the endophytic fungus which is necessary for the growth of prothalli of L. obscurum in nature.