noun
antheridium
Botanical term for the male reproductive organ in ferns, mosses, and some algae. Compare with 造卵器 (archegonium).
See also: 造卵器
シダ植物の造精器は精子を生産する。
The antheridium of ferns produces sperm.
造卵器 is the female counterpart (archegonium), while 造精器 is the male organ (antheridium).
Compound of 造 (create) + 精 (sperm) + 器 (organ). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.