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The Gametophyte is small, cylindrical & subterranean. It has an Apical Cell and Dichotomous Branching. It has Rhizoids & it has Gemmae that are similar to those on the Sporophyte Rhizome. It also has Mycorrhizal Fungal associations which are vital for its survival because it is not photosynthetic. It has Vascular Tissue but this is poorly and unevenly developed. Due to its small size and the fact that most of its cells are pervaded by fungal hyphae, a Vascular System may be redundant. The Vascular System is, however, a Protostele just like the Rhizome. Antheridia are Superficial and appear as small globes on the Gametophyte. They produce multicellular Sperm which are Fern-like. The Necks of the Archegonia |
(3 mm long)  Psilotum Gametophyte with Superficial Antheridia.
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A comparison of the Sporophyte & Gametophyte shows that they have a Similar Anatomy & Morphology |
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They are both subterranean, cylindrical, have Apical Cells & branch Dichotomously, have identical Rhizoids & Gemmae, have Mycorrhizal associations, & Protosteles. Consequently, Psilotum has an Isomorphic Life Cycle. |
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