Gymnosperms, also known as Acro Gymnospermae, are a flowerless plant family that produces seeds and cones. Gymnosperm is a flowerless plant whose name literally means “naked seed.”
Gymnosperm seeds are not enclosed within the ovaries, therefore this is the case. Instead, they’re exposed on the surface of leaf-like structures called bracts, where they sit. Gymnosperms are vascular plants that belong to the Embryophyta subkingdom, which contains cycads, gnetophytes, conifers, and ginkgoes, among others. Spruces, pines, ginkgoes, and firs are some more recognisable examples of these plants and shrubs. Gymnosperms of these classes can be found in a variety of biomes, including temperate and boreal woods.
Types of Gymnosperm
Coniferophyta
The Coniferophyta sub-group comprises conifers, which include pines, cypresses, and other near cousins, as the name implies. In the gymnosperms, Coniferophyta has a large number of species. The majority of conifers are evergreen, which means they keep their leaves throughout the year. They house some of the world’s largest and oldest trees. Sequoias, hemlock, pines, firs, and spruces are examples of conifers in a broader sense.
Conifers are an important economic resource for the timber industry and its products, which include paper made from wood. Hardwood comes from angiosperms, while softwood comes from gymnosperms. The term “conifer” is derived from the word “cone-bearer,” which is used to describe conifers.
Cycadophyta
Cycadophyta is the next gymnosperm classification. Cycads, for example, can be found in tropical woods and other subtropical areas. These are usually evergreen plants with a feathery leaf structure and long stems that distribute the huge leaves across the trunk.
Cycads resemble palm trees at first glance, although they are not related to palm trees. Because they have such a slow growth rate, the plants can live for many years. It can take up to 50 years for the King Sago palm to reach a height of 10 feet. Unlike conifers, cycad trees can only produce male cones (known as pollen) or female cones (known as pollen) (known as ovules).
Ginkgophyta
The Ginkgo Biloba is the only surviving member of the gymnosperm ginkgophyta division. In a naturally occurring habitat, these plants are almost entirely unique to China.
Ginkgos have a long life span, estimated to be in the thousands of years. These are distinguished by their fan-shaped leaves, which frequently change colour in the autumn season.
Ginkgo biloba grows to be rather enormous, with the tallest trees reaching a height of about 160 feet. The thicker the trunks and the deeper the roots, the older the tree. These flourish in brightly lit regions around the world, where they can get plenty of water and have plenty of soil drainage.
Gnetophyta
Within the three genera Ephedra, Gnetum, and Welwitschia, the Gnetophyta group of gymnosperms includes a very small number of species. Many Ephedra species are shrubs that can be found in the desert portions of the American highlands or in the chilly areas of India’s Himalayan Mountains.
Ephedra species have medical benefits and are the primary source of ephedrine, a decongestant medication. The Ephedra species features scale-like leaves and thin stalks. Gnetum species have a few shrubs and trees, the majority of which are woody vines that wrap themselves around other plants.
The following is a list of Gymnosperms’ Economic Importance:
- Pinus gerardiana seeds are edible and safe to eat. They’re eaten after they’ve been roasted.Softwood is found in Gymnosperms. Light furniture, plywood, packing containers, match sticks, railway sleepers, and other items are made using the same material.Paper is made from a variety of gymnosperm wood species. Picea, Pinus, Larix, and Abies are among them.
- Fiber Boards: Pinus and other conifer needles are used to make fiberboards, which are used to make packing cases.
- Linoleum and plastics: Sawdust is used to make linoleum and plastics.Resin is a semi-fluid made up of terpenes, resin acids, and esters that is created in specific tubes. When exposed to air, it solidifies. As a result, it plugs the wounds.
Conclusion
A typical adult human stands around 1.8 meters tall; the Atlantis (a space shuttle) stands 56 meters tall; and General Sherman (Sequoiadendron giganteum) stands 83.8 meters tall.
Gymnosperm seeds are not enclosed within the ovaries, therefore this is the case. Instead, they’re exposed on the surface of leaf-like structures called bracts, where they sit.The Hyperion (Sequoia sempervirens) is the world’s tallest gymnosperm (and tree) at 115.85 metres.The Hyperion is a type of coastal redwood that can be found in the Redwood National and State Parks in northern California. The tree is considered to be roughly 600 years old (by Stephen Sillett), while some people claim it is over 700 years old.