EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -gymnosperm, any vascular plant that reproduces by means of an exposed seed, or ovule-unlike angiosperms, or flowering plants, whose seeds are enclosed by mature ovaries, or fruits. The seeds of many gymnosperms (literally, “naked seeds”) are borne in cones and are not visible until maturity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Gymnosperms are plants that have seeds but no flowers. The seeds of these plants are on cones or in cups. Most gymnosperms are evergreen. Gymnosperms include conifers, cycads and the ginkgo.

Detailed explanation-3: -The female cone (megastrobilus, seed cone, or ovulate cone) contains ovules which, when fertilized by pollen, become seeds. The female cone structure varies more markedly between the different conifer families, and is often crucial for the identification of many species of conifers.

Detailed explanation-4: -The word “Gymnosperm” comes from the Greek words “gymnos”(naked) and “sperma”(seed), hence known as “Naked seeds.” Gymnosperms are the seed-producing plants, but unlike angiosperms, they produce seeds without fruits.

Detailed explanation-5: -Most gymnosperms produce seeds in structures called cones or strobili (singular strobilus; Figure 8.1. 2). Cones evolved from modified leaves, and they can either be male cones that produce pollen, or female cones that produce ovules.