<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The evolutionary history of <italic>Ophioglossaceae </italic>is enigmatic mainly because fossils of the family trace back only from the earliest Tertiary. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that <italic>Helminthostachys </italic>is sister to the broadly defined <italic>Botrychium</italic>. Generally the sporophore of <italic>Botrychium </italic>is a pinnately compound, whereas it is simple in <italic>Helminthostachys.</italic> Here examples of different <italic>Helminthoistachys </italic>are represented which show double or triple spikes with some variations. Plants showing variations in their spike morphology are also grown normally. Variations of <italic>Helminthostachys </italic>spike morphology indicate a tendency to form a compound sporophore structure and in that way have a strong relationship with <italic>Botrychium</italic>.</p></abstract>

The evolutionary history of Ophioglossaceae is enigmatic mainly because fossils of the family trace back only from the earliest Tertiary. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Helminthostachys is sister to the broadly defined Botrychium. Generally the sporophore of Botrychium is a pinnately compound, whereas it is simple in Helminthostachys. Here examples of different Helminthoistachys are represented which show double or triple spikes with some variations. Plants showing variations in their spike morphology are also grown normally. Variations of Helminthostachys spike morphology indicate a tendency to form a compound sporophore structure and in that way have a strong relationship with Botrychium.

Morphological Varia Tions of Fertile Spike in Helminthostachys Zeylanica (L.) Hook

Present Address: Rishi Bankim Chandra College, Naihati, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India, Pin-743165/Department of Botany, Balurghat College, P.O. Balurghat, District – Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India, Pin-733101

Department of Botany, Balurghat College, P.O. Balurghat, District – Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India, Pin-733101

Hacquetia

The evolutionary history of Ophioglossaceae is enigmatic mainly because fossils of the family trace back only from the earliest Tertiary. Phylogenetic analyses...

Morphological Varia Tions of Fertile Spike in Helminthostachys Zeylanica (L.) Hook

Published Online: Dec 28, 2012

Page range: 271 - 275

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10028-012-0007-0

Keywords
Helminthostachys zeylanica, pteridophyte, Ophioglossaceae, fertile spike.

This content is open access.

Morphological Varia Tions of Fertile Spike in Helminthostachys Zeylanica (L.) Hook

Published Online: Dec 28, 2012

Page range: 271 - 275

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10028-012-0007-0

KeywordsHelminthostachys zeylanica, pteridophyte, Ophioglossaceae, fertile spike.

This content is open access.

Keywords
Helminthostachys zeylanica, pteridophyte, Ophioglossaceae, fertile spike.