GAMETOPHYTE

gametophyte

(noun) the gamete-bearing individual or phase in the life cycle of a plant having alternation of generations

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

gametophyte (plural gametophytes)

(botany) A plant (or the haploid phase in its life cycle) which produces gametes by mitosis in order to produce a zygote.

Source: Wiktionary

Ga*me"to*phyte, n. [Gamete + Gr. fyto`n plant.] (Bot.)

Definition: In the alternation of generations in plants, that generation or phase which bears sex organs. In the lower plants, as the algæ, the gametophyte is the conspicuous part of the plant body; in mosses it is the so-called moss plant; in ferns it is reduced to a small, early perishing body; and in seed plants it is usually microscopic or rudimentary.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition