Spore Formation in Lycogala exiguum Morg.

On the 5th of October, 1907, young aethalia of a Lycogala were collected in a grove four miles southwest of Grinnell, Iowa, killed in chromo-acetic acid and carried through into paraffin. Sections have shown some interesting stages in the development of spores. Since this process has hitherto been described in only two species of saprophytic myxomycetes, it seemed desirable to record the observation. Whether the organism in question is Lycogala exiguum or L. epidendrum cannot be certainly determined. Its small size and the fact that only four or five aethalia were found indicate the former species

Mosses and Liverworts of Iowa

In 1945 I published three papers on the Atracheata (Bryophytes) of Iowa in The Bryologist, vol. 48:I. The species and the counties from which they were known, with the herbaria in which specimens could be seen. II. Names that have been published but were not recognized in my list, and why not. III. Papers on the subject, with notes about the authors. Since that time several additional species have been collected in the State, many new county records have been made, some misidentifications are to be corrected, and some changes in names must be made. As I am not likely to see additional collections from Iowa, it seems right to present a corrected list at this time

The Banana Floatingheart (Nymphoides aquaticum)

It is well known that Nymphaea mexicana Zucc. and Nymphoides aquaticum (Walt.) produce brood bodies, hibernating bodies or organs of vegetative propagation. In both species the bodies consist of a cluster of fleshy roots more or less resembling a hand or a small bunch of bananas

The White Waterlily of Iowa

Most of the known species of waterlily (Nymphaea Sm.) are extremely variable. The student feels obliged to recognize certain extreme forms as species. These are often restricted geographically. But where their habitats are connected by continuous land areas, the intermediate country is usually populated by a series of waterlilies which grade insensibly from one extreme to the other. The commoner white waterlilies of North America illustrate these conditions

Homology of Tissues of Ferns

In comparing two or more organisms our standpoint may be developmental, morphological or physiological. Or, we may strike a middle ground in what is called the morpho-physiological point of view

Secotium agaricoides, a Stalked Puffball

Last autumn a considerable number of specimens of that odd fungus, Secotium agaricoides, were brought to our laboratory. It seems desirable to record the following observations

A Manual of the Gymnosperms ( Ever-Greens ) of Iowa, Both Native and Cultivated

Trees or shrubs with needle-shaped or scale-like lvs, or with broad 2-lobed fork-veined lvs. The pollen falls directly upon the ovule or young seed; there is therefore no stigma or ovary. Wood close grained, without ducts (pores); soft woods. Stam. fl. Cone-like or catkin-like, short-lived. Seeds various, with fleshy endospern. Cambium in stems and roots, forming rings of wood

Ferns and Liverworts of Grinnell and Vicinity

The flora of the high prairie is peculiarly devoid of mosses and ferns. Excessive insolation and evaporation are prime causes of this. Though the necessary protection for mosses might be afforded by the tall grasses, the ground is too closely occupied, and moisture throughout much of the year is too scant

A Manual of the Ferns and Fern-Allies of Grinnell and Vicinity

The writer believes that for every floristic district of the State there should be a simple and convenient manual of the local flora. As a first attempt to meet this need, the following manual is presented. The other vascular plants should be similarly covered

Gametrophytes of Botrychium Virginianum in Iowa

23. Gametrophytes of botrychium While botanizing in a fenced and unpastured timber lot on top of a hill one and a half miles south of Ladora, Iowa Co., Iowa, May 26, 1928, we found some very small leaves of Botrychium virginianum emerging from the ground cover of dead oak and elm leaves. On digging about them with a pocket knife, each leaf was found to arise from the side of a gametophyte. The soil was a fine dark brown leaf mold. The gametophytes lay about 12 cm. below the surface of the ground, and all were within a circle 15 cm. in diameter. They were irregular roundish tubers, dark brown and coarsely bristly outside, with one end - apparently anterior - of a paler color. The dense interior tissue was of the color and consistency of white potato. No studies of structure have been made