Abstract:Pteris ensiformis is a perennial evergreen herbage with high ornamental and medicinal value. However, its resources have not been explored and utilized because of lack of understanding of its propagation. We successfully cultivated the spores of P. ensiformis in mixed soil and observed spore germination and gametophytic development by microscopy. The spores are brown, monolete, and bean-shaped in the equatorial view and triangular in the polar view. They
germinate about 1 week after sowing. The germination is of the Vittaria type and the gametophyte development of the Ceratopteris type. The prothallial plate is formed about 3 weeks after sowing.
The young prothalli are asymmetric and the mature are cordate and naked. The sex organs appear about 5 weeks after sowing. The antheridia consist of 3 cells. The archegonial neck usually
consists of 4 rows and 4 columns of cells at maturity. Young embryos can be observed from the prothalli 1 month after sowing. This study reveals not only the technique of propagation of P.ensiformis with spores for horticulture but also the proper conditions for molecular biology,genetics and systematics study.