Salviniaceae

(Floating ferns)

return to Pterophyta page

GENUS (1) is Salvinia.

THE SALVINIACEAE are heterosporous floating aquatic plants. The genus Azolla is commonly included within the family.

SORI are borne leaf lobes, or on branched leaves. They are indusiate.

SPORANGIA are stalked, and lack an annulus. Numerous microsporangia and single megasporangia are borne in separate sori.

SPORES are heterosporous, and lack chlorophyll.

STEMS are creeping, small and slender, and often branched. They usually bear trichomes.

PETIOLES lack stipules.

LEAVES are small and crowded, simple, bilobed, or dissected. They may be alternate or whorled, but are usually sessile or nearly so. They are not circinate in bud, and range from .5-2.5 cm in length.

THE VASCULAR CYLINDER may be protostelic or solenostelic.

GAMETOPHYTES are minute, and usually non-photosynthetic. Both mega- and microgametophytes are largely contained within the spore wall.

Links to Genus Directory of Images:

• Salvinia