This volume outlines all of the phases of the gametophytic generation in ferns such as spore germination and sex organ initiation, from how the gametophyte grows to how it eventually initiates the sporophytic generation. The book discusses these stages in morphological, physiological, cytological and biochemical terms, and, by combining all these perspectives, presents a new view of this interesting developmental process that sheds light on general plant development. Developmental biologists will find this book a useful resource.

The study of the development of flowering plants may be said to be in the throes of a revolution. The literature on the subject is extensive and continues to grow rapidly as new discoveries pile one on top of the other; moreover, these striking advances in our knowledge have put plant developmental biology well ahead of other aspects of the study of plants. This has come about after a period of neglect and stagnation in the field and has been triggered by the power of recombinant DNA technology to analyze genetic information and by a fruitful cross-fertilization between physiology, genetics,...