sporophyll

Or spo·ro·phyl

[spawr-uh-fil, spohr-]

noun

Botany.

1. a modified leaf that bears sporangia.

sporophyll

/ ˈspɒ-, ˈspɔːrəʊfɪl /

noun

1. a leaf in ferns and other spore-bearing plants that bears the sporangia See also megasporophyll microsporophyll

sporophyll

1. A leaf or leaflike organ that bears sporangia.

Other Word Forms

• sporophyllary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporophyll¹

First recorded in 1885–90; sporo- + -phyll

Example Sentences

Similarly in the sporophylls of some cycads the bundles are endarch near the base and mesarch near the distal end of the stamen or carpel.

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Of these whorls the two internal, forming the sporophylls, constitute the essential organs of reproduction; the two outer whorls are the protective coverings or floral envelopes.

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To these leaves surrounding the sporophylls, the general name of “perianth” or “perigone” is given.

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Usually, however, other leaves are present which are only indirectly concerned with the reproductive process, acting as protective organs for the sporophylls or forming an attractive envelope.

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The occurrence of buds in the axils of carpellary scales may, however, simply mean that buds, which are usually undeveloped in the axils of sporophylls, occasionally afford evidence of their existence.

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