Relating to or characterized by the production of two morphologically different types of spores.
From 'hetero-' (different) + 'spor-' (Greek for seed) + '-ic' (adjective suffix). Describes plants and algae with the reproductive innovation of producing distinct spore types.
Heterosporic ferns are living fossils—they pioneered the spore-doubling trick that eventually led to flowers and seeds, making them evolutionary heroes!
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