An ovule is a female megasporangium where the formation of megaspores takes place.
The various parts of an ovule are –
- Funiculus – It is a stalk-like structure which represents the point of attachment of the ovule to the placenta of the ovary
- Hilum – It is the point where the body of the ovule is attached to the funiculus
- Integuments –They are the outer layers surrounding the ovule that provide protection to the developing embryo.
- Micropyle – It is a narrow pore formed by the projection of integuments. It marks the point where the pollen tube enters the ovule at the time of fertilization.
- Nucellus – It is a mass of the parenchymatous tissue surrounded by the integuments from the outside. The nucellus provides nutrition to the developing embryo. The embryo sac is located inside the nucellus.
- Chalazal – It is the based swollen part of the nucellus from where the integuments originate.
