Heterosporous (Adjective)
Meaning
Characterized by heterospory.
Classification
Relational adjectives (pertainyms).
Examples
- The ferns and other pteridophytes are heterosporous, producing two types of spores that give rise to different types of gametophytes.
- Some species of aquatic plants are heterosporous, with the megaspores developing into female gametophytes and the microspores developing into male gametophytes.
- The heterosporous condition is thought to have evolved independently in different plant groups, including the ferns and the seed plants.
- Heterosporous plants typically produce megaspores that are larger than the microspores, and the megaspores often have thicker walls.
- The heterosporous life cycle of some plants involves the production of two types of spores that are dispersed at different times.