Gynmosperms are vascular seed plants. They differ from angiosperms (flowering plants) in that they have a "naked seed" - meaning it is not surrounded by a fruit. Gymnosperms include phylum Ginkgophyta (Ginko has a very interesting story), phylum Cycadophyta, phylum Gnetophyta and phylum Coniferophyta.
The Ginkgo tree was once thought to be extinct, but then it was found in Tibet - being grown by monks! There is only one living species of Ginkgo and we have a few trees on PLU campus. Apparently, the fruits that are produced by the female trees are very stinky to attract animals to eat them (apparently it does not smell bad to the animals!) and when they were planted at PLU, they took great care not to plant female trees, but there is a female on PLU campus. I have not seen it, but I saw the male ones.
Cycads look like fern trees.
Gnetum of the gnetophytes
Ephedra of the gnetophytes. It's illigal to grow it in the USA because it produces ephedrine - a pain killer. Lots of bad stuff can be made from it.
This is Welwitschia of the gnetophyta. It only produces TWO leaves in it's lifetime and it can grow to great size!
The bottom tree pictures are conifers.
The Ginkgo tree was once thought to be extinct, but then it was found in Tibet - being grown by monks! There is only one living species of Ginkgo and we have a few trees on PLU campus. Apparently, the fruits that are produced by the female trees are very stinky to attract animals to eat them (apparently it does not smell bad to the animals!) and when they were planted at PLU, they took great care not to plant female trees, but there is a female on PLU campus. I have not seen it, but I saw the male ones.
Cycads look like fern trees.
Gnetum of the gnetophytes
Ephedra of the gnetophytes. It's illigal to grow it in the USA because it produces ephedrine - a pain killer. Lots of bad stuff can be made from it.
This is Welwitschia of the gnetophyta. It only produces TWO leaves in it's lifetime and it can grow to great size!
The bottom tree pictures are conifers.
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