Female Gametophytes of Cycas and Pinus | Gymnosperms

Learn about the comparison of Female Gametophytes of Cycas and Female Gametophyte of Pinus.

Comparison # Female Gametophyte of Cycas:

1. Cycas is formed by the free-nuclear divisions of megaspore. Wall formation starts after the formation of about 1000 nuclei.

2. A very long resting period is not required in cycas between the free-nuclear stage and start of wall formation.

3. Two to eight archegonia are formed in the female gametophyte of cycas.

4. In cycas egg is largest among all living plants.

5. Para-nuclei or Hofmeisterian bodies do not form in the central cell of archegonium of cycas.

Comparison # Female Gametophyte of Pinus:

1. Same as in Cycas, but wall formation starts after the formation of 2000 or more nuclei (e.g. over 2500 nuclei in Pinus roxburghii).

2. A long resting period of 8-9 months is required in pinus between the free-nuclear stage and start of wall formation.

3. The number of archegonia in pinus varies between 1-5.

4. The egg is not that much large in pinus.

5. Para-nuclei or Hofmeisterian bodies are formed in the central cell of archegonium of pinus.