Fatty acid composition of fern spore lipids

Fatty acid composition of lipids isolated from spores of different fern groups show differences between the families whereas species variations within the families are smaller. As in seed fats, the spore lipids are mainly triglycerides, with the exception of Osmunda where free fatty acids accumulate. The spore lipids contain as major components oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid although those of the sporophylls contain C-20 polyunsaturated acids.