Stipular buds in a natural population of Danaea nodosa (Marattiaceae) in gallery forest from Brazilian Savanna

Abstract

The occurrence of stipular buds is commonly observed in Marattiaceae under controlled conditions. In this study, is described the development of stipular buds in a population of Danaea nodosa located into a gallery forest of the Brazilian savanna. From June 2006 to July 2007 40 individuals were monitored and 13 of them presented stipular buds. The formation of stipular buds was observed in August and September 2006, a time corresponding to the end of the dry season. In only two individuals, the stipular buds evolved to ramets. An additional survey conducted in April 2008, revealed that the ramets continued to product new leaves. This study provides an important information about the reproductive strategy of the species under natural conditions, which can guide future researches with conservationist purposes to native ferns. Key words: adventicious buds, clonal propagation, ferns, vegetative shoots. Resumo