Archegonium (Fig. 15.6A). This is the female sex organ. Archegonia develop towards the lower surface of Prothallus in the cushion region.

Each archegonium is sessile with a flask-shaped body. It is differentiated into basal globular venter and a tube shaped neck. The venter is embedded in the tissue of cushion but the neck projects out towards the soil. It is slightly curved. The venter cavity contains a female gamete called an egg (n) cell and a smaller venter canal cell. The neck cavity contains one neck canal cell with two nuclei.

Table of Contents

15.0 - Introduction
15.1 Pteridophyta : General Account
15.2 Gymnosperms
15.3 Angiosperms : Dicotyledons
15.4 Angiosperms : Monocotyledons
15.5 Vascularization
15.6 Development of seed habit
15.7 Development of Flower and Fruit

Chapter 16