Where can heteromorphic alternation of generations be seen?

Heteromorphic alternation of generations can be seen in plants such as ferns, mosses, and certain algae where the sporophyte and gametophyte phases differ in form.

• Alternation of generations: life-cycle pattern in plants and some algae in which a multicellular haploid gametophyte generation alternates with a multicellular diploid sporophyte generation.
• Heteromorphic means the two generations differ in morphology (form, size) — e.g., the sporophyte is large and long-lived, gametophyte is small and short-lived (or vice versa).
• Examples:
  • Ferns: Large leafy sporophyte, small independent gametophyte (prothallus).
  • Mosses: The gametophyte is dominant green plant and sporophyte is attached capsule-bearing stalk.
  • Certain algae (red algae, brown algae) also show heteromorphic alternation.