Observations of the spore, gametophyte and young sporophyte of Pteridium caudatum (L.) Maxon using scanning electron microscopy

► This paper describes the development of the sexual phase of invasive fern, Pteridium caudatum, from spore germination to the formation of young sporophyte. ► The information provided here about the phases of development complements the studies by other authors. ► Furthermore, with the aid of the SEM is obtained a more detailed documentation of the characteristics of the surface of spores, gametophytes and young stages of the sporophyte. ► Such studies on the development of the sexual phase of this and other species of the genus are necessary to provide data that allow specialists to resolve the taxonomic problems in this group of plants.