Phanerons

Phanerons are a taxonomic term used in botany to classify flowering plants. The name "phaneron" derives from Greek, meaning "visible" or "manifest," referring to the conspicuous nature of the reproductive structures, the flowers, which are characteristic of this group. Phanerogams are distinguished from spore-producing plants like ferns and mosses, which are known as cryptogams.

The defining feature of phanerogams is their production of seeds, which contain an embryo and stored food, enclosed within a protective seed coat. These seeds are the result of sexual reproduction involving pollination and fertilization. Phanerogams represent the vast majority of plant species found on Earth today and are divided into two main sub-kingdoms: gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Gymnosperms, meaning "naked seeds," include plants like conifers, cycads, and ginkgoes. Their seeds are typically borne on the surface of cone scales or are exposed. Angiosperms, on the other hand, are flowering plants characterized by seeds enclosed within an ovary, which develops into a fruit. This group, also known as angiosperms, encompasses a wide diversity of plants, from small herbs to large trees, and is the most dominant plant lineage on the planet. The evolutionary success of phanerogams is largely attributed to their efficient seed dispersal mechanisms and their ability to adapt to a wide range of environments.