Abstract

Investigations in the tracheary elements of rhizomes, roots and stipes of four cheilanthoid ferns from two genera viz. Aleuritopteris albomarginata, A. bicolor, A. rufa and Cheilanthes tenuifolia have been made both through maceration followed by light microscopic study and longitudinal sections through SEM study. Presence of vessel elements has been detected in the rhizomes of these species and roots of all species except A. albomarginata. No vessel elements were found in the stipes of any member. The vessel elements were having distinct obliquely elongated endplates mostly provided with compound perforation plate without any pit membrane. Detection of vessel elements in these plants which usually grow in dry habitats justifies their ecological success in rapid uptake of water with limited period of water availability.

Keyword: Aleuritopteris, Cheilanthes, ecological success, vessel element.