1. relating to or characteristic of the sporophyte, the diploid phase in the life cycle of plants that produces spores
Usage: botanical; technical

Examples

• The sporophytic generation dominates the life cycle of flowering plants.
• Ferns display both gametophytic and sporophytic phases in their development.
• The sporophytic tissue produces spores through meiosis.
• In mosses, the sporophytic phase is smaller and depends on the gametophyte.
• Botanists study sporophytic characteristics to understand plant evolution.
• The sporophytic stage begins after fertilization occurs.