gymnosperm
Figure 26.8 illustrates the life cycle of a conifer. The sporophyte 2n phase is the longest phase in the life of a gymnosperm. The gametophytes 1n microspores and megasporesare reduced in size. It may take more than year between pollination and fertilization while the pollen tube grows towards the megasporocyte 2n , which undergoes meiosis into megaspores. The megaspores will mature into eggs 1n .