sporophyte

[spawr-uh-fahyt, spohr-]

noun

Botany.

1. the form of a plant in the alternation of generations that produces asexual spores.

sporophyte

/ ˈspɒ-, ˌspɔːrəˈfɪtɪk, ˈspɔːrəʊˌfaɪt, ˌspɒ- /

noun

1. the diploid form of plants that have alternation of generations. It develops from a zygote and produces asexual spores Compare gametophyte

sporophyte

1. Among organisms which display an alternation of generations (such as plants, fungi, and certain algae), the individual diploid organism that produces spores. A sporophyte develops from an embryo resulting from the union of two gametes. Each of its cells has two sets of chromosomes, as opposed to the haploid gametophyte generation.

2. See more at alternation of generations gametophyte

Other Word Forms

• sporophytic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporophyte¹

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

Example Sentences

After taking the monthly class, I couldn’t walk anywhere without seeing mosses and noticing the differences in size, habit, colors and sporophytes between species.

Read more on Seattle Times

After taking the class — the Davises hold it on the last Saturday of every month — I couldn’t walk anywhere without seeing mosses and noticing the differences in size, habit, colors and sporophytes between species.

Read more on Washington Post

As well as being the oldest known sporophyte, it may have also been fully independent of its gametophyte.

Read more on The Guardian

The ferns’ reproductive cycle, distinguished from other plants by having gametophytes, works like this: A mature fern, called a sporophyte, develops clusters of spores on the undersides of its leaves.

Read more on Washington Times

The sporophyte — the diploid organism — is birthed in a special flask-shaped female structure after an inept moss sperm blunders inside.

Read more on Scientific American