Microsporophyll (Noun)
Meaning
In non-flowering plants, a sporophyll that bears only microsporangia.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- In conifers, the microsporophylls are usually arranged in small cones and produce male gametes.
- The microsporophylls of extinct ancient plants like the Cooksonia showed a primitive structure.
- Cycad microsporophylls contain hundreds of microsporangia and release a mass of yellow pollen.
- Ginkgo biloba produces microsporophylls in pendulous cones that release the male pollen.
- The microsporophylls of horsetails have characteristic finger-like tips containing the microsporangia.