Characteristics of Gymnosperms

Characteristics of Gymnosperms

• Seed-producing plants that do not produce flowers or fruits
• Seeds are exposed, not enclosed in an ovary
• Typically evergreen, woody plants

Evolutionary History

• First appeared during the Paleozoic Era, around 370 million years ago
• Diversified during the Mesozoic Era, around 250-65 million years ago
• Many ancient gymnosperm species are now extinct

Types of Gymnosperms

• Conifers (e.g., pine, spruce, fir): needle-like leaves, cones, and evergreen
• Cycads (e.g., cycad, zamia): palm-like leaves, cones, and often poisonous
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): unique, fan-shaped leaves and single species
• Gnetophytes (e.g., Ephedra, Gnetum): diverse group, often with jointed stems

Reproductive Structures

• Cones: male cones produce pollen, female cones contain seeds
• Sporophylls: modified leaves that produce spores
• Seeds: naked, not enclosed in an ovary

Ecological Importance

• Provide food and shelter for many animals
• Act as pioneers in forest succession, creating habitats for other species
• Some species have medicinal properties or are used as food sources

Characteristics of Gymnosperms

• Produce seeds, but not flowers or fruits
• Seeds are exposed and not enclosed in an ovary
• Typically, they are evergreen and woody plants

Evolutionary History

• Appeared during the Paleozoic Era, around 370 million years ago
• Diversified during the Mesozoic Era, around 250-65 million years ago
• Many ancient gymnosperm species are now extinct

Types of Gymnosperms

• Conifers: have needle-like leaves, cones, and are evergreen (e.g. pine, spruce, fir)
• Cycads: have palm-like leaves, cones, and are often poisonous (e.g. cycad, zamia)
• Ginkgo: has unique, fan-shaped leaves and is a single species (Ginkgo biloba)
• Gnetophytes: a diverse group, often with jointed stems (e.g. Ephedra, Gnetum)

Reproductive Structures

• Cones: male cones produce pollen, while female cones contain seeds
• Sporophylls: modified leaves that produce spores
• Seeds: naked, not enclosed in an ovary

Ecological Importance

• Provide food and shelter for many animals
• Act as pioneers in forest succession, creating habitats for other species
• Some species have medicinal properties or are used as food sources

Learn about the characteristics and evolution of gymnosperms, a group of seed-producing plants that do not produce flowers or fruits. Discover the different types of gymnosperms and their unique features.