noun
- the early stage of moss development consisting of branching green filaments that develop from spores
Usage: botany
Examples
- The moss spore germinated to form a protonema.
- Green protonema filaments spread across the moist soil surface.
- Buds on the protonema will eventually develop into mature moss plants.
- The protonema stage precedes the formation of leafy moss shoots.
- Under the microscope, the protonema appeared as a network of thin green threads.
- Favorable conditions allowed the protonema to establish quickly after spore dispersal.