Käpykasvit

Käpykasvit, scientifically known as Coniferophyta or Gymnospermae, represent an ancient and diverse group of seed-bearing plants. Unlike flowering plants (angiosperms), their seeds are not enclosed within an ovary but are typically borne on the surface of scales, which are often arranged in cones or strobili. This "naked seed" characteristic is a defining feature of this division.

The group includes familiar plants such as pines, spruces, firs, larches, cedars, junipers, and cypresses. Many käpykasvit are trees, and they are renowned for their woody nature, often forming extensive forests in temperate and boreal regions. They are characterized by their needle-like or scale-like leaves, which are usually evergreen, allowing them to photosynthesize year-round. However, some, like the larch, are deciduous and shed their leaves seasonally.

Reproduction in käpykasvit involves separate male and female cones. Male cones produce pollen, which is wind-dispersed to fertilize the ovules located in the female cones. After fertilization, the ovules develop into seeds, typically within woody or fleshy cone scales. This reproductive strategy, while less complex than that of flowering plants, has been highly successful, allowing käpykasvit to dominate vast ecosystems for millions of years. They play crucial roles in their environments, providing habitat and food for numerous species, influencing climate, and being economically important for timber, paper, and other products.