Gymnosperms Naked Seed Plants

The gymnosperms we are going to talk about are the conifers (cone bearing plants) – Phylum Coniferophyta

Characteristics Sporophyte generation is dominant Leaves are needles with a thick, waxy cuticle (covering) Stems are made of wood

Reproduction Sporophyte produces male (small) and female (larger) cones The cones produce the male and female gametophytes The male gametophyte is the pollen grain The female gametophyte is the ovule (egg) Pollen grains are carried to the female cone by wind When the pollen grain lands on female cones, this is called pollination

Adaptations to life on land Sticky female cones for pollen to stick to Light weight pollen – easily carried by wind Seeds have “wings” – carried longer distance by wind away from parent plants

More adaptations Seeds protected by female cone Deep roots absorb water and anchor tree Surface area of needles is low to reduce evapotranspiration Contains vascular tissue