Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms ("naked seed" plants) are plants that produce seeds but do not enclose them in an ovary. The ovules/seeds are exposed to the environment.

Seed placement in gymnosperms vs angiosperms

They have

  • no pistils
  • no ovary (and, therefore, no fruit)
  • no flowers

Seeds and pollen are borne in separate cones (pollen cones and seed cones).

Species may be monoecious or dioecious.

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