Gametophyte development and reproductive behavior in Dicksonia antarctica labill.

The event of spore germination, gametophyte development, sex ontogeny and sporophyte development in Dicksonia antarctica was studied. Spore germination was of Cyathea-type, while prothallial development was observed to be of Adiantum-type. The species was found to be a good colonizer in nature, as considerable numbers of sporophytes were produced in culture medium through selfing. Frequency of sporophyte production was 60% in composite population, while no sporophyte was produced in isolated population. D. antarctica had poor capacity to form sporophyte through intragametophytic selfing. It reproduced by inter-gametophytic selfing and also possibly by crossing. Conservation of this taxon in the natural habitat is urgently required by introducing it in protected areas.