Size

Most ferns are homosporous, each plant having spores of one shape and size, usually 30 to 50 micrometres in length or diameter, although some reach more than 100 micrometres. A few fern families, however, have dimorphic spores, small ones (microspores) and large ones (megaspores). The gametophytes of ferns with dimorphic spores are endosporous; that is, they do not emerge in germination and fail to grow beyond the confines of the spore walls. Photosynthesis is essentially lacking, the food being stored in the spore. The microspores produce sperm in antheridia, and the megaspores produce eggs in archegonia. The vegetative phase of the gametophyte in these forms has been practically eliminated, and the developing embryo in the megaspore lives on stored food materials. The differentiation between male and female gametophytes ensures cross-fertilization. This set of conditions, known only in the families Marsileaceae and Salviniaceae, is called heterospory.