Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) prothallus. Light micrograph of a section through the prothallus of a 'male fern', showing the sex organs: the male anther

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Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) prothallus. Light micrograph of a section through the prothallus of a 'male fern', showing the sex organs: the male antheridia (purple) and female archegonia (pink). The prothallus is the gametophyte stage in the life-cycle of a fern. It develops from a germinating spore and usually consists of a number of rhizoids (root-like hairs) and the sex organs. Magnification: x7 when printed 10 centimetres wide

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Size: 3543px × 4960px
Photo credit: © DR KEITH WHEELER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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