PHYTOLITHS OF FERNS III : IN HIMALAYAN HORSETAIL AND SOME FERNS
JAIDEEP MAZUMDAR *
Pteridology Laboratory, UGC Center for Advanced Study, Department of Botany, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, 713104, INDIA
RADHANATH MUKHOPADHYAY *
Pteridology Laboratory, UGC Center for Advanced Study, Department of Botany, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, 713104, INDIA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Phytolith morphology in root, stem, leaf & cone of Equisetum diffusum, leaf & spike of 4 species of eusporangiate ferns and 23 species of leptosporangiate ferns were studied. Commonly found forms were nearly triangular, cylindrical, square or rectangular and amorphous. Plates like phytoliths were found with distinct features in different species. Phytoliths resembling Spicular cells were found in 6 species of Vittaria. SEM studies of silicification patterns in E. diffusumrevealed knob like and ridge like deposition over leaf and stem surfaces.
Keywords: Opal phytolith, Equisetum diffusum, fern, leptosporangiate, eusporangiate