Abstract

The spores of seven species of Cyatheaceae found in Taiwan are studied analyzed. Incipient heterospory is found in two species of Alsophila having spinulose spores (A. metteniana and A. podophylla). Spinulose type of spores are also found in Sphaeropteris lepifera. Most other Alsophilas have striated spores (A. denticlata, A. fenicis, A. loheri, and A. spinulosa). The general evolutionary sequence of sculptine morphology in the Cyatheaceae are discussed in terms of traditional systems of classification and the phylogeny proposed recently by Tryon. The psilate and striated spores of Cibotium cumingii and C. barometz (Dicksoniaceae), respectively, are also studied and their possible phylogenetic relationship to the Cyatheaceae evaluated.