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Gymnosperms & Adaptation

Gymnosperms were among the first of the world's plants to reproduce using true seeds. While far less diverse today than the fruit-bearing angiosperms, modern gymnosperms---which include conifers, gingkos and cycads---continue to survive thanks to unique adaptations.

Evolution
- Gymnosperms likely evolved in the late Carboniferous Period over 300 million years ago, and had diversified significantly by the Permian Period that followed. Today, representatives are found on all continents except Antarctica.
Reproduction
- Many gymnosperm seeds develop in cones.
  
  Gymnosperm means "naked seed," a reference to the fact that no fleshy fruit or ovary surrounds the seed. Many gymnosperms cloak their seeds in cones, which are modified leaf structures. In most species, both male and female cones exist on the same tree; the small male cones produce pollen to fertilize the larger, more visible female structures.
Other Adaptations
- Many conifers are evergreen, which means they maintain their leaves throughout the year. In some ecosystems this gives them an advantage over deciduous trees that must shut down photosynthesis operations when their leaves drop. Conifers often excel in harsh conditions such as arid hills or high mountain environments.

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