The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Paraphysis \Pa*raph"y*sis\, n.; pl. Paraphyses. [NL., fr. Gr.
   para` beside + ? growth.] (Bot.)
   A minute jointed filament growing among the archegonia and
   antheridia of mosses, or with the spore cases, etc., of other
   flowerless plants.
   [1913 Webster] Paraplegia

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

paraphysis
    n 1: a sterile simple or branched filament or hair borne among
         sporangia; may be pointed or clubbed