Laboratory studies of seed germination were conducted for five species
of Podostemaceae from Mexico: Marathrum haenkeanum Engler, Marathrum
rubrum Novelo & Philbrick, Oserya coulteriana Tul., Tristicha trifaria
Bory ex Willd. Sprengl, Vanroyenella plumosa Novelo & Philbrick. This
represents the first comparative study of seed germination for North
American Podostemaceae. Germination occurred within 4 days when seeds
were placed in water and under lights. Germination was greater-than-or
-equal-to 95% after 9 days for all but one of the 11 collections exami
ned. Seed placed in water but in the dark did not germinate. Marked in
terspecific differences in seed germination were not observed. The bio
logy of Podostemaceae is poorly known, especially the more cryptic sta
ges such as seeds and seedlings.