megasporangium

American  

[meg-uh-spaw-ran-jee-uhm, -spoh-] / ˌmɛg ə spɔˈræn dʒi əm, -spoʊ- /

noun

Botany.

plural

megasporangia

1. a sporangium containing megaspores.

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megasporangium British  

/ ˌmɛɡəspɔːˈrændʒɪəm /

noun

1. the structure in certain spore-bearing plants in which the megaspores are formed: corresponds to the ovule in seed plants Compare microsporangium

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megasporangium Scientific  

/ mĕg′ə-spə-răn′jē-əm /

plural

megasporangia

1. A plant structure in which megaspores are formed, such as those of the female cones of pines.

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Etymology

Origin of megasporangium

First recorded in 1885–90; mega- + sporangium

Example Sentences

The ovule, sheltered within the ovary of the carpel, contains the megasporangium protected by two layers of integuments and the ovary wall.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

A double-layered integument protects the megasporangium and, later, the embryo sac.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The integuments, while protecting the megasporangium, do not enclose it completely, but leave an opening called the micropyle.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Through meiosis, the microsporangium forms microspores, and the megasporangium forms megaspores.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

If a flower lacked a megasporangium, what type of gamete would it not be able to form?

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013