P. falciparum gametocyte

Plasmodium produces male and female gametocytes. In P. falciparum, the gametocytes are elongate and larger than the diameter of the erythrocyte containing them, so they are typically stretched into a characteristic crescent shape.

This photo shows two gametocytes in the midst of a number of host erythrocytes. The erythrocyte membrane surrounding these gametocytes has been stretched and is not visible.