Abstract

The spores of nine taxa of Formosan Plagiogyria are studied by scanning electron microscope. They are found to have trilete spores of medium size (30-36μ×38-65μ, in polar × equatorial diameters), mostly with rounded or hemispherical processes, and with raised laesurae having thin or thick margos. Based upon sculptine ronamentations five major types of spores can be discerned. A key to the taxa based on playnological data alone is given. Comparison with other species of Plagiogyria found elsewhere are also made. Possible use of spore characteristics in apecies differentiation and the course of the development of the perispore are discussed. Some outstanding potential of the inherent capacity of scanning electron microscope in playnological studies are point out.