1. Gymnosperms
Naked Seed Plants

2. The gymnosperms we are going to talk about are the conifers (cone bearing plants) – Phylum Coniferophyta

3. Characteristics Sporophyte generation is dominant
Leaves are needles with a thick, waxy cuticle (covering)
Stems are made of wood

4. Reproduction
Sporophyte produces male (small) and female (larger) cones
The cones produce the male and female gametophytes
The male gametophyte is the pollen grain
The female gametophyte is the ovule (egg)
Pollen grains are carried to the female cone by wind
When the pollen grain lands on female cones, this is called pollination

6. Adaptations to life on land
Sticky female cones for pollen to stick to
Light weight pollen – easily carried by wind
Seeds have “wings” – carried longer distance by wind away from parent plants

7. More adaptations Seeds protected by female cone
Deep roots absorb water and anchor tree
Surface area of needles is low to reduce evapotranspiration
Contains vascular tissue