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Phylum Pterophyta (or Pteridophyta or Filicinophyta) -- ferns or "true ferns" Pterophyta is an enormous phylum with dozens of genera in Texas. Although most ferns are homosporous, there are a few heterosporous genera and these heterosporous genera are well represented in central Texas. Central Texas' heterosporous genera of Pterophyta include Marselia, Azolla, and Salvinia. Fern gametophytes provide students with an excellent opportunity to observe living egg and sperm cells of plants. Most gametophytes, when kept moist, will produce large numbers of gametangia (sex organs) which can be seen easily with a light microscope. Genus Cyrtomium

Cyrtomium sori, 10x

Cyrtomium is not native to North America, but it is widely used in commercial landscaping. In urban areas of Texas, it is the most commonly encountered fern.

Cyrtomium sori, 20x

Cyrtomium sporangia, 40x

Cyrtomium sporangia, 100x

Cyrtomium sporangia with loose spore, 100x

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