The sporangia of pteridophytes are carried by the sporophyte and will burst open after the spores have grown.
These mature spores germinate and develop into a gametophyte.
The gametophyte is a half-inch broad heart-shaped plant. It transports both the male and female organs.
The sporophyte will be diploid in nature, whereas the gametophyte will be haploid. In homosporous pteridophytes, the gametophyte is monoecious, while in heterosporous pteridophytes, it is dioecious.
The male organ, or antheridia, produces sperm, and the female organ, or archegonia, develops eggs.
The newly produced sporophyte proceeds through meiosis to produce a haploid spore, which develops into a haploid gametophyte.