1. sterile filaments found among the reproductive organs in mosses, ferns, and fungi
Usage: botanical; plural form

Examples

• The paraphyses help protect the developing spores in the moss capsule.
• Under the microscope, we could clearly see the paraphyses surrounding the antheridia.
• Botanists study paraphyses to understand fungal reproductive structures.
• The paraphyses provide structural support within the sporangium.
• These sterile paraphyses are characteristic of this particular fern species.