Sporophytic

Sporophytic is an adjective describing the sporophyte, the diploid multicellular generation in the life cycles of plants and some algae. In organisms with alternation of generations, the sporophyte arises from the fertilized egg and, by meiosis in specialized tissues called sporangia, produces haploid spores. These spores germinate to form the gametophyte, the haploid generation that produces gametes by mitosis.

In vascular plants, the sporophyte is typically the dominant, conspicuous stage, while in bryophytes the sporophyte is often smaller and dependent on the gametophyte for nutrition. In seed plants, the sporophyte comprises the mature plant body, whereas the male gametophyte (pollen) and the female gametophyte (within the embryo sac) are highly reduced and develop within sporophytic tissues.

The term sporophytic distinguishes tissues and organs belonging to the sporophyte from those of the gametophyte. This distinction underpins the concept of alternation of generations, where sexual reproduction alternates between a diploid sporophyte and a haploid gametophyte, contributing to genetic variation and the evolution of land plants. Etymologically, the term derives from Greek sporos meaning seed or seed-like structure and physis to grow.