Siemenkasvi

Siemenkasvi is the Finnish term for a seed plant. Seed plants, also known as spermatophytes, are a group of plants that produce seeds. This group includes all flowering plants (angiosperms) and cone-bearing plants (gymnosperms). Seeds are a defining characteristic, providing a protective casing for the embryo and a food source for its initial development, allowing for reproduction and dispersal over land. This innovation marked a significant evolutionary step, enabling plants to colonize diverse terrestrial environments.

The life cycle of a siemenkasvi involves alternation of generations, with a dominant sporophyte generation producing gametophytes within specialized structures. Fertilization typically occurs internally, and the resulting ovule develops into a seed. Seeds can remain dormant for extended periods, waiting for favorable conditions to germinate. This reproductive strategy has led to the vast diversity and ecological success of seed plants, which form the basis of most terrestrial ecosystems, providing food, shelter, and resources for countless other organisms. They are distinguished from spore-producing plants like ferns and mosses by their more complex reproductive structures and the development of seeds.