The genus Psilotum comes from the family Psilotaceae and has only two species, Psilotum nudum (image 1) and Psilotum complanatum (image 2).
Image 1. Psilotum nudum
Image 2. Psilotum complanatum.
This genus can grow either on the ground of on another plant. They produce only one type of spore and their underground stem system, which is divided into two parts, lacks roots and does not contain the pigments necessary to convert light into energy. They have an aerial shoot system that can be erect or overhanging and can also be divided multiple times. It has small leaves which do not produce spores. The leaves are scale-like and lack a vascular nerve, they split into two and are spore producing. There are many large spores that are yellow in colour and double sided. The gametophytes are found underground with fleshy roots that are similar to rhizomes. The plant’s eggs and sperm can be in zones or consistently spread out.
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