Apogamy

Apogamy, the omission of the oophore stage, or sexual generation, in alternation of generations, as when some ferns abnormally produce a new fern-plant (or sporophore) by direct growth from the prothallus (the first result of germination) without the usual formation of archegonia and their fertilisation by antherozoids (q.v.). In the mushroom and its allies (Hymenomycetes) apogamy may have become normal, the spawn (or mycelium) giving rise directly to the mushroom (or sporophore) and no sexual organs being formed.