sporophyte

American  

[spawr-uh-fahyt, spohr-] / ˈspɔr əˌfaɪt, ˈspoʊr- /

noun

Botany.

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

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sporophyte British  

/ 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

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sporophyte Scientific  

/ spôr′ə-fīt′ /

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

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Other Word Forms

• sporophytic adjective

Etymology

Origin of sporophyte

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

Compare meaning

How does sporophyte compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sporophyte vs. gametophyte

Example Sentences

To determine whether this adaptation held up in real space, the researchers sent sporophytes into orbit.

From Science Daily

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.

From 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.

From Washington Post

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

From 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.

From Washington Times