antheridium
[an-thuh-rid-ee-uh m]
- a male reproductive structure producing gametes, occurring in ferns, mosses, fungi, and algae.
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Origin of antheridium
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for antheridia
Historical Examples
Antheridia most often on a short branch, globose-oblong or cylindric.
Antheridia immersed in the thallus, covered with dentate scales.
Antheridia large, in the axils of leaves on terminal branches.
Paraphyses, jointed filaments mixed with the antheridia of Mosses.
The Elements of BotanyAsa Gray
The antheridia are protected by leaves which are often modified in shape.
antheridium
- the male sex organ of algae, fungi, bryophytes, and spore-bearing vascular plants, such as ferns, which produces antherozoids
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Word Origin
C19: from New Latin, diminutive of anthēra anther
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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antheridium
[ăn′thə-rĭd′ē-əm]
- An organ in certain organisms that produces male gametes. Antheridia are found in many groups of organisms, including the bryophytes, ferns, ascomycete fungi, and some algae. Most gymnosperms and all angiosperms, however, have lost the antheridium, and its role is filled by the pollen grain. Compare archegonium.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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