Download Gymnosperms Gymnosperms are non-flowering plants that do not

Gymnosperms
Gymnosperms are non-flowering plants that do not have a protective cover to their seeds. Read on to find out more...
There are so many plants and trees that surround us. The refreshingly
green trees in my garden and the august trees that stand tall at the side
of the road are a source of great pleasure and a delight to watch. Plants
and trees not only provide us with food, fuels and many other important
things but are also a source of fresh air and joy that surrounds us
everyday. There exist so many different types of plants and trees, which
have minute differences amongst their color, structure, as well as
numerous physiological differences.
Often we miss these differences and similarities in plants since many of
these differences are indiscernible to the human eye. There exists a
special branch of science that involves study of plants in detail. Botany
is the branch of science that deals with the study and classification of
plants. According to the principles of Botany, higher plants are divided
into two main groups known as angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Angiosperms are flowering whereas the gymnosperms are nonflowering plants.
Peculiar Characteristics of Gymnosperms
Besides the basic differences mentioned above, there exist a set of
standard feature or characteristics that help to identify gymnosperms.
Here are some of the peculiar characteristics of gymnosperms:
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Gymnosperms do not have and outer-covering or shell around their seeds.
Gymnosperms do not produce flowers barring a few exceptions.
Gymnosperms are heterosporous which means that they produce different male and
female spores. The microspores develop into pollen grains and the megaspores are
in an ovule.
Gymnosperms produce cones.
Gymnosperms do not bear fruits.
Gymnosperms propagate via wind pollination
The word ‘gymnosperms’ originates from the words gymnos meaning naked and sperm meaning seed, the name is so
because of the fact that seeds of gymnosperms are not surrounded by a protective wall which exists in the angiosperms.
Gymnosperms are further separated into four divisions, which are as follows:
Coniferophyta
This is the largest division of gymnosperms, which includes Pines, Yews, Spruces, Junipers, Cedars and many more
plants. These conifers are found in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. There are several families of the
Coniferphyta division as well. These are cone-bearing gymnosperms, which date back to the carboniferous period.
Cycadophyta
This division includes palm-like gymnosperms, not to mention the surviving order Cycadales< and other extinct orders.
The cycads are slow growing palm-like plants. These plants also have another characteristic feature that the leaves of
these plants are borne together on the top of the trunk. The seeds of these plants are present on the surface of the scales
of cones.
Gingkophyta
This group of the gymnosperms is relatively limited since it contains only one member. The single living species of the
Gingkophyta division is the Gingko biloba from China.
Gnetophyta
These are gymnosperms, which are truly unique due to the fact that they bear flowers- a property that is exclusively
attributed to the angiosperms. In addition to this, the xylem of these plants contains pollen-producing structures, which
resemble the stamens in angiosperms. Owing to this, these plants are considered as a link between gymnosperms and
angiosperms. The plants included in this division are tropical lianas, joint-firs and also several other plants.
Different Kinds of Plants
Plants evoke images of lush, green vegetation. The number of plant species is staggering. Read on to know about some kinds of
plants.
There are many different kinds of plants. These can be found in almost every type
of habitat and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Plants are an important
source of nutrition for mankind and many of the herbs can be used as medicine. A
few examples of different plant types are given below.
Angiosperms
Angiosperms belong to the family of vascular plants. They represent the most
advanced condition among terrestrial plants. They have the ability to flower. They
have tubes, which carry nutrients and water throughout the body of the plant. This
kind of transportation is called the vascular system. The main function of the
flower is to protect the plants seeds. Flowers form a part of the reproductive
elements of angiosperms. The stamen produces the pollen, which is used to
fertilize the egg in the carpel to produce more seeds.
Angiosperms can have one of two types of seeds, dicots or monocots. Dicots
possess flowers with four or five petals and complex leaves with veins. Dicots
include sunflowers, catiapple trees, cherry trees and roses. Monocots have a
single package of food. Their leaves are made of long strands, and petals in
groups of three. Monocots include corn, lilies grass and palm trees. Monocots that
are grown in large quantities to feed people and animals are pumpkins, potatoes,
tomatoes, and peppers. The grass family of monocots includes wheat, barley, rye,
sorghum, oats, millet and sugar.
Annual, Perennial and Biennial plants
Annual plants have a one-year life cycle while biennial plants have a two-year life cycle. Annual plants are divided into two
categories – winter annuals and summer annuals. A plant can behave as an annual or a perennial according to local
climatic and geographic growing conditions. Annual plants that naturally complete their life cycle in less than a year are
called true annuals. Examples of true annuals are watermelon, pea and lettuce. Examples of biennials are parsley, carrot
and celery. Perennial plant’s life cycle is more than two years. Sweet potato and tomato are examples of perennials.
Epiphytic Plants
They depend on other plants for support growing on trunks and branches. They are also dubbed ‘air plants’. Mosses and
orchids are instances of epiphytic plants. Though they are not parasitic, they can be deleterious to their hosts. They have
an advantage over plants growing on the ground as they have a relatively better access to sunlight. They obtain nutrients
from the air or water around them. They use photosynthesis for the process of nutrition.
Pitcher Plants
They are carnivorous plants. Pitcher plant is also called a meat eater. They normally grow in marshlands, bogs and areas
of waterlogged, acidic and nitrogen poor soil. They get their nitrogen intake by eating insects. They usually bear a single,
large and nodding flower. The insect traps of a pitcher plant can be quite large and attractive. The inside of the tubular
shaped leaf is lined with downward pointing hairs, which block an insect from climbing up the tube and escaping. The fluid
in the bottom of the tube contains digestive juices that will ingest the insect prey. They will also consume small frogs and
occasionally mice and small birds. They can also absorb nutrients through their root systems.
Desert Plants
These plants are adapted to the arid and hostile environment of a desert. These plants have the capability to store water.
They also have the ability to use water efficiently. They usually have few or no leaves, which greatly reduces transpiration.
Desert perennial species survive by being dormant during dry periods of the year. They spring to life when water becomes
available. Plant species like cacti and succulents, have dense flesh which is capable of storing large amounts of water.
Several plants have developed the typical spikes and spines to prevent them from being eaten by animals.