When you look at a tree, can you tell whether or not their seeds are “naked?” Probably not; right? You likely don’t even know what that description means. Well, trees fall into one of two categories: angiosperms and gymnosperms, both of which have monumental differences that can be seen by the naked eye.
Continue reading to review a brief comparison of angiosperm trees and gymnosperm trees.
Angiosperms Versus Gymnosperms
Angiosperms are flowering plants that produce seeds that are enclosed within an ovary, such as fruit, flowers, and endosperm. Gymnosperms are the opposite in that they produce seeds that are not enclosed, and instead, “naked.” These naked seeds often come in the form of cones, such as the pine cones you find on the ground during fall. Below is a comparison of the two types of trees.
Angiosperms:
Kingdom – Plantae
Definition – Flowering plants and trees that produce seeds enclosed within an ovary; usually a fruit.
Seeds – Enclosed in an ovary, mostly fruit.
Life Cycle – Seasonal, non-perennial.
Leaf Shape – Flat
Wood Type – Hardwood
Tissue – Endosperm produced during triple fusion, referred to as Triploids.
Reproduction – Usually in flowers, they can be unisexual or bisexual.
Applications – Medications, food, clothing, textiles, and more!
Gymnosperms:
Kingdom – Plantae
Definition – Non-flowering trees that produce unenclosed or “naked” seeds.
Seeds – Unenclosed, bare, and usually found on scales, leaves, or in cone formation.
Life Cycle – Evergreen, perennial.
Leaf Shape – Scale-formation and needle-like.
Wood Type – Softwood
Tissue – Endosperm produced before fertilization, referred to as Haploid.
Reproduction – Unisexual, usually in cones.
Applications – Paper, lumber, and more!
Professional Tree Service in Fishers
Call 317-537-9770 for year-round tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and experienced tree care contractors that offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at competitive prices. We also offer tree service coupons and discounts! Request a free estimate, today.
