Æxlunarfræ

Æxlunarfræ is the Icelandic word for "seed of conception" and refers to the ovule in plants. This is a vital component of the reproductive process in flowering plants (angiosperms) and gymnosperms. The ovule contains the female gamete, the egg cell, which is essential for fertilization. After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed.

Within the ovule, there is a structure called the megasporangium, which typically produces a single megaspore through meiosis. This megaspore then develops into the female gametophyte, also known as the embryo sac in angiosperms. The embryo sac contains the egg cell and other nuclei that play a role in fertilization and subsequent seed development.

The ovule is usually enclosed within the ovary of a flower in angiosperms. In gymnosperms, ovules are typically borne on the surface of ovuliferous scales, often found in cones. The process of pollination, where pollen grains are transferred to the receptive surface, is a prerequisite for fertilization. Following successful pollination and fertilization, the ovule matures into a seed, which contains the embryo and stored food reserves, protected by a seed coat. The seed is the means by which the plant can disperse and propagate.