Gymnosperms Definition and Examples – Imaluop

Hi, we are going to discuss a group of plant gymnosperms definition and examples which will give an idea about the basic idea of gymnosperms.  

Definition of Gymnosperms: 

Gymnosperms are a group of vascular plants in which seeds are present in naked or exposed state which is not visible until they reach maturity. Cells and tissues in gymnosperms are differentiated or specialised for performing different functions so division of labour present clearly.

Seeds present in the form of cones which are special characters of gymnosperms. Gymnosperms are vascular plants with different vascular tissue like xylem, phloem present for transport water and minerals and transportation of organic foods to different parts of the plant body.

In most of the cases male cones or microstrobili in gymnosperms have microsporophylls with reduced leaves. At the base of microsporophylls pollen sac is present in the form of microsporangia.

Male cone or microstrobili and female cone or megastrobili can be present in the same plant together or they can be present on different plants, male cone on male plant and female cone on female plant.

In gymnosperms the megastrobili also have reduced leaves or megasporophylls and at the base of megasporophylls megasporangium present. The cells present Inside microsporangia and megasporangia undergo meiotic cell division to form haploid gametes which participate in reproduction.

The haploid gametes dispersed in different ways to meet together the opposite gametes for the fertilization process. Embryos are developed after the fertilization and in gymnosperms embryos can have two or more cotyledons for example, cycad have only two cotyledons but in pine and other gymnosperms number of cotyledons is 8 to 18.

Seeds in gymnosperms do not form fruits and their seeds remain naked in the form of cones because their seeds are not covered by a fruit wall. All fundamental parts like root, stem and leaves are present in gymnosperms but their leaves are scaly or needle shaped and stem is generally woody, both tap root and fibrous root system occurs in gymnosperms. 

Examples of Gymnosperms: 

Now we will discuss some plants in which major features of gymnosperms are clearly visible. 

Cycads: 

Cycads are example of gymnosperms found in both eastern and western hemisphere and they have around 15 to 20 special distributed globally. Leaves in cycads grow in the form of rosette and the leaves are stiff, hard, evergreen and compound.

Large sized compound leaves form crown at the top of single, woody, stout, cylindrical stem trunk in cycads.  Several species of cycads are used as ornamental plants in garden for example C. bedomei and C. circinalis are used as ornamental plants in the area like parks, garden for their special appearance.

Cycads are also used for extraction of sago which is a starchy plant product and for this reason they are often called as ‘sago palm’. Leaves in cycads have great economic value because they can be used for various decorative purposes and they are used to make hats, mats and baskets. 

Conifers: 

Conifers are most observed gymnosperms which bear seeds in the form of large size cones and they may be tree or shrub. Conifers are woody vascular plants with pointed needle-like leaves and their overall appearance is like a triangle due to special arrangements of branches and leaves.

Conifers are most frequently observed in the northern hemisphere but they are distributed all over the world less or more. Megastrobili in conifers are female reproductive organs and they form cones with exposed seed after fertilization by male gametes.

Conifers have great economic importance because their wood is useful for various purposes like making paper and used as timber and pine nuts also increase their economic importance.

Redwood, pine, ciders are some examples of conifers which have great economic importance and they are observed all over the globe. 

Reference: Gymnosperms Definition and Examples 

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