Studies on Tmesipteris with Special Reference to Aberrant Forms

Abstract

Tmesipter is, a uniquely primitive Vascular plant belonging to the Crder Psilotales has been the subject of much botanical investigation and of many theoretical considerations. Various aberrancies in the form of the reproductive organs have been described previously. The aim of this account is to make a detailed comparison between the anatomical structure of normal Tmesipteris sporangia and that of certain abnormalities found around Wellington. In addition a brief account of the cytology of "normal" and "aberrant" types is given, as well as a general survey of the amount of variation for form within the genus in the New Zealand Area.