gymnosperm

A seed plant with seeds that are not enclosed in an ovary. Gymnosperms make up the smaller of the two main classes of seed-bearing plants, the other being the angiosperms. All gymnosperms are perennials and most are evergreen. There are several orders, including the conifers (Coniferales), such as pine, large, fir, and redwood; the Cycadales, the cycads or sago palms; the Ginkgoales, the ginko; and the Gnatales, tropical shrubs and woody vines. The term comes from the Greek gymnos for "naked" and sperma for "seed."

Related category

• BOTANY

Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History

BACK TO TOP