GERMINATION OF SPORES OF THE LYCOPODIACEAE IN AXENIC CULTURE

Spores from four species of Huperzia, three species of Lycopodiella, a nd three species of Lycopodium were germinated in axenic culture. The ten species included species with subterranean mycorrhizal gametophyte s and others with surficial photosynthetic gametophytes. The germinati on of spores from species with mycorrhizal gametophytes was slow, but much faster than previously reported. it occurred in the dark in a few months for most species instead of years as reported by Bruchmann (19 10). Although species of Lycopodiello are expected to have rapid germi nation, spores from two species had slow germination. It appears that not all the species of the Lycopodiaceae with photosynthetic gametophy tes exhibit rapid spore germination as reported by Treub (1884).