Abstract: Light microscopy was used to observe the spore germination and gametophytic development of four species i.e. Athyrium vidalii, A.longius, A.fimbriatum and Acystopteris japonica belonging to two genera in Athyriaceae. The characteristics of each gametophytic developmental stage were recorded. Spores of four species are monolete, bilaterally symmetrical, the germination is Centripetal-type and the gametophyte development is Adiantum-type, sex organs are of the type of leptosporangiate, adult gametophytes are cordate, no hairs; differences among species include spore ornamentation, germination time, formation time of the prothallus, filament length, plate shape, prothallus shape and sex organ size.

Key words: Athyriaceae, gametophyte, development, Athyrium vidalii, A.longius, A.fimbriatum, Acystopteris japonica