One of four haploid megaspores in each ovule potentially produces a highly multicellular but dependent female gametophyte bearing 1 or more archegonia, each containing an egg cell. Male plants produce male or microsporangiate cones that bear many scales, each with an abundance of microsporangia scattered over the lower surface. Motile sperm cells are eventually produced by the pollen grains or microgametophytes that develop from the microspores. Once pollen grains are dispersed to the vicinity of the micropyle of the ovule, a pollen tube delivers the sperm in close proximity to the archegonium where the motile sperm may swim through a droplet of nectarlike fluid to reach the egg. The developing embryo derives its nutrients from the female gametophyte.
Seeds are typically large, sometimes up to the size of goose eggs.
Several cycads are visible in this photo. Note the somewhat tufted, pinnately compound leaves. Cycas circinalis , sago palm. Cycas revoluta , sago palm. In this species the fertile leaves of the female are a little more highly modified and the collection of megasporophylls is a little more like a cone but is still loosely organized.