FACTORS RESTRICTING THE FORMATION OF NORMAL MALE PLANTS IN THE ISOSPOROUS SPECIES OF MACROMITRIUM (MUSCI: ORTHOTRICHACEAE) IN JAPAN

Abstract

  An experimental study was carried out to explain the restricted distribution of normal male plant of isosporous species of Macromitrium in Japan. At 10℃ bud formation occurred on the female protonemata, whereas none of the male protonemata produced buds in 160 days. At 10℃ gametophore production was also less frequent in protonemata originating from male leaves than from those originating from female leaves. Low temperature seems to be the main factor restricting the formation of normal male plants.