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Glite Dictionary
leptosporangium

leptosporangium

9.9
A small part of a fern that makes and holds spores
  • noun
  • /ˌlɛptəˈspɔrændʒiəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : leptosporangio
  • Each leptosporangium releases spores when mature, aiding in fern reproduction.

Examples

  • Scientists examined the leptosporangium under a microscope to study its development.

  • The leptosporangium is an important structure distinguishing most modern ferns from other plant groups.

  • The leptosporangium is critical for the reproduction of ferns.

  • Many ferns produce leptosporangia during their life cycle.

  • Each leptosporangium releases spores when mature, aiding in fern reproduction.

  • Scientists examined the leptosporangium under a microscope to study its development.

  • The leptosporangium is an important structure distinguishing most modern ferns from other plant groups.

Surface Forms

leptosporangium singular
leptosporangia plural

Morphology

leptosporangium = sporangium (opaque) = lepto + sporangium

Although formed from the combining element 'lepto-' (meaning 'thin') plus the technical noun 'sporangium', both elements are specialized/obscure so an average learner cannot infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word leptosporangium comes from Greek parts lepto- meaning 'thin' and -sporangium meaning 'spore vessel'. So a leptosporangium is a 'thin spore vessel', which fits because it is a small spore case that grows from one cell.