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

/ spôr′ə-fĭl′ /

1. A leaf or leaflike organ that bears sporangia.

Other Words From

• spo·ro·phyl·la·ry [spawr-, uh, -, fil, -, uh, -ree, spohr-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sporophyll¹

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

Example Sentences

The sporophyll was radially extended, and along it the large sausage-shaped sporangia were attached (see fig. 98).

From Project Gutenberg