plantsgymnosperms
Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing land plants characterized by seeds that are not enclosed in an ovary or fruit. They comprise four living lineages: Coniferophyta (conifers), Cycadophyta (cycads), Ginkgophyta (Ginkgo), and Gnetophyta (gnetophytes). Fossil evidence indicates that gymnosperms first became common in the late Paleozoic era, and they once dominated many forests before angiosperms became widespread. Today, gymnosperms occupy a range of habitats, from boreal forests to desert margins, but they are generally less diverse than flowering plants.
Most gymnosperms are woody plants, often evergreen, with needle-like or scale-like leaves. Reproduction occurs in cones
In their life cycle, the sporophyte generation is dominant. The gametophytes are reduced and develop within
Ecology and evolution: Gymnosperms are generally well adapted to dry or nutrient-poor soils and can form long-lived