Gymnosperms Flashcards
Gymnosperm translates to
“naked seed”
Unlike fruiting plants whose seed is enclosed within a fruit, gymnosperms seeds…
develop unenclosed, though often attached to the scale of a cone.
What distinguishes angiosperms from gymnosperms?
Gymnosperms do not produce flowers.
The Cycad Families
Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae, and Zamiaceae
Cycad Cones
Appear in the center of the crown of leaves, with male and female cones on separate plants. Usually propagated by beetles; fertilized seed often develop colorful fleshy coats to attract animals.
Cycad Leaves
Leaves generally palmlike, with numerous leaflets arranged along a central stalk. Form a crown at the stem tip.
How do you tell the 3 cycad families apart?
Cycadaceae leaflets have one central vein, Stangeriaceae have one central vein with side branches. Zamiaceae have multiple veins that run in parallel.
Cycadaceae genus
Cycas only
Family: Stangeriaceae
Gymnosperms
Genuses: Stangeria, Bowenia
Cycads Native Ranges
Tropical regions of Africa, southeastern Asia, Australasia, and Latin America.
At least a quarter are endangered.
Ginkgoaceae Family “Maidenhair Tree Family”
Only one species:
Ginkgo biloba
Araucariaceae Family
The Monkey Puzzle Family
Gymnosperm
3 genera: Agathis, Araucaria, Wollemia
Araucariaceae Range
What remains is centered around the South Pacific, South America, and Australasia.
Araucariaceae Leaves & Cones
Evergreen leaves are arranged in spirals around the stem.
Large, round female cones are of particular interest because of their huge size. Some seeds are considered delicacy.
Commonly grown Araucariaceae Species
Monkey Puzzle (Araucaria araucana)
Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
Bunya-bunya pine (A. bidwillii)
