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Archegonium




An archegonium (pl: '''archegonia'''), from the Ancient Greek ''αρχη'' (beginning) and ''γονος'' (offspring), is a multicellular structure or organ of the Gametophyte phase of certain Plant s producing and containing the Ovum or female Gamete . The archegonium has a long neck and a swollen base. Archegonia are typically located on the surface of the plant Thallus , although in the Horned Liverworts they are embedded.

They are also much-reduced and embedded in the megasporangium of Gymnosperm s. The term is not used for Angiosperm s or the gnetophytes '' Gnetum '' and '' Welwitschia '' because the comparable "structure" is reduced to just a few cells, and the function of surrounding the gamete is completely assumed by Diploid cells of the Megasporangium .

The corresponding male organ is called the Antheridium .