What is the female reproductive structure of a moss or a fern called?

The female reproductive structure of a moss or a fern is known as the archegonium. This structure plays a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of bryophytes (like mosses) and pteridophytes (like ferns). The archegonium is typically flask-shaped and houses the egg cell. After fertilization, it provides an environment for the development of the fertilized egg into a sporophyte.

In mosses, the archegonium is found on the gametophyte, which is the dominant life stage. In ferns, it is located at the tips of the prothallus, the gametophyte stage. The existence of this specialized structure allows for the protection and nourishment of the egg until it can develop into a new sporophyte organism. Understanding the role of the archegonium is fundamental to grasping how non-flowering plants reproduce and illustrate the evolutionary adaptations of plant reproductive strategies.