apogamy

[ uh-pog-uh-mee ]

noun

, Botany, Mycology.

1. the asexual development of a sporophyte from a cell or cells of the gametophyte other than the egg.

apogamy

/ ˌæpəˈɡæmɪk; əˈpɒɡəmɪ /

noun

1. a type of reproduction, occurring in some ferns, in which the sporophyte develops from the gametophyte without fusion of gametes
2. the development of a diploid cell in the embryo sac of flowering plants into an embryo without being fertilized

Derived Forms

• aˈpogamous, adjective
• apogamic, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·o·gam·ic [ap-, uh, -, gam, -ik], a·poga·mous adjective
• apo·gami·cal·ly a·poga·mous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of apogamy¹

First recorded in 1875–80; apo- + -gamy

Example Sentences

But of course this does not hinder that under apogamy various other causes of homogamy are likely to arise—in particular natural selection.

From Project Gutenberg

The last-mentioned case has been regarded as representing an apogamous development of the sporophyte from the gametophyte comparable to the cases of apogamy described in Ferns.

From Project Gutenberg

Passing on now to apogamy, or isolation of the indiscriminate kind, we may well be disposed, at first sight, to conclude that this kind of isolation can count for nothing in the process of evolution.

From Project Gutenberg

And, of course, as soon as this change of type begins, the isolation ceases to be indiscriminate: the previous apogamy has been converted into homogamy, with the usual result of causing a divergence of type.

From Project Gutenberg

It was in order to recognize this additional and very important factor that I chose the name Independent Variability whereby to designate the diversifying influence of merely indiscriminate isolation, or apogamy.

From Project Gutenberg