The typical female gametophyte or embryo sac is 8-nucleate and 7-celled. 2 polar nuclei are situated below the egg apparatus in the large centraftfell. Three cells are grouped together at the micropylar end and constitute the egg apparatus. The egg apparatus consists of two synergids and one egg cell. The synergids have special cellular thickenings at the micropylar tip called filiform apparatus, which play an important role in guiding the pollen tubes into the synergid.
Three cells are at the chalazal end and are called the antipodals.