The male reproductive organ in non-seed plants like mosses, ferns, and liverworts that produces and releases motile sperm cells. It typically has a jacket of sterile cells surrounding the sperm-producing tissue.
From Greek 'antheros' meaning 'flowery' or relating to flowers (though ironically these plants don't have flowers) and the diminutive suffix '-idium'. The term was established in 19th-century botany as scientists distinguished between the male reproductive organs of different plant groups.
Try Another Word