The branches have a width of 1.5 to 2 mm. It grows 10cm to 75 cm long. The stems are covered with brownish coloured hair-like rhizoids. It also has small stalks that end with simple sporangia. The spores that are produced are bean shaped. They germinate best in the presence of dark environment and ammonium. The gametophyte is non-photosynthetic. Plants grow from a subterranean rhizome which anchors the plant in place and absorbs nutrients by means of filament like rhizoids. In India it is found in Nicobar group of islands. Plants are found hanging from the trunks of trees or other similar plant species. Scientific Classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pteridophyta Class: Psilotopsida Order: Psilotales Family: Psilotaceae Genus: Psilotum Species: Psilotum complanatum |