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An antheridium is a structure that produces male gametes in relevant plant and other lineages. In bryophytes and many ferns, antheridia on the gametophyte produce motile sperm.

A suitable water connection allows those sperm to reach an archegonium. Release and transport of spores can occur under different conditions, so efficient spore dispersal does not remove the later water requirement for fertilization.

An archegonium is an egg-producing reproductive structure in several land-plant lineages, including bryophytes and many ferns. It belongs to the gametophyte generation and contains the ovum reached by sperm during fertilization.

After fertilization, the developing sporophyte can remain associated with the maternal gametophyte. This links reproductive anatomy to maternal support of a new generation without making the two generations one genetically identical individual.