Difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms

Difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms

By Dr. Kyle Muller

In Ecology Verde we want to teach you to know better the plants that surround us and do it in a simple way. On this occasion we will focus on knowing the main differences between angiosperms and gymnosperms. To do this, we offer you a simple table and several sections dedicated to knowing how these plants are and what their main characteristics are.

In addition, we have added some examples with common and recognizable plants, even by the most beginners in the subject, to help not only its distinction to the naked eye, but to strengthen this basic knowledge of botany that we try to teach you every day. So, if you want to discover the Difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms And more details about these plants, keep reading!

Summary of the differences between angiosperms and gymnosperms

These are the main differences between angiosperms and gym plants:

  • The plants that belong to the gymnosperms group are usually of a woody type, while angiosperms are mostly herbaceous.
  • The branch of gymnosperms is always monopodic type, while angiosperms is sympodic.
  • In the case of gymnosperms we talk about a pivoting root system with superficial roots, while in angiosperms they have a branched radical system without the main axis
  • The gymnosperms wood is formed only by tracheidas, in the case of angiosperms is composed of both tracheids and tracheas.
  • Gymnosperms have perennial leaves. Instead, angiosperms can be both deciduous and perennial leaf.
  • The pollination of gymnosperms is anemophilic and direct. This means that pollen is directly captured by the ovule. In angiosperms, pollination is zophilic and indirect, so pollen is captured by stigma.
  • The fertilization of gymnosperms is simple and that of angiosperms is double.
  • The seeds of the gymnosperms are presented in a naked way and with numerous cotyledons, instead angiosperms have only 1 or 2 cotyledons and is inside the fruit.
  • The reproduction of gymnosperms is much slower than that of angiosperms.
  • There are more than 250,000 species within the angiosperms group while gymnosperms have only about 850 different species.

Next we will see what the angiosperms and gymnosperms are examples.

Difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms - Summary of the differences between angiosperms and gymnosperms

What are angiospermas plants and their characteristics

The Angiospermas plants make up the largest group of land plants With no less than more than 250,000 copies. Also known as mormophytes, that is, plants with differentiated fabrics and organs, are those that are mainly characterized by having the calls True flowers. In addition, these have what is known as Pedicelo, a small leaf born in the axillary zone of the bract.

In your case, the seeds remain locked and protected by carpels or the wall of the ovary until it is pollinated and becomes fruit. Within this classification we will not only find herbaceous plants, but also of shrubs and tree. Due to the number of cotyledons of their seeds they are classified into two groups: dicotyledons and monocotyledons.

Dicotyledons

They are those whose seeds are provided with two cotyledons that are located on each side of the embryo. The main root of these plants is very resistant and remains until the end of the plant’s life. As for the stem, the dicotyledonous plants have vessels arranged in circles. Among these, woody and Liberian, is a fabric called Cambium. The function of this helping growth and stem thickness.

Learn more about this with this other post about what a cotyledon is.

Monocotyledonous

Those that are distinguished by having a complete and visible flower. In addition, it has a single embryonic, or cotyledon leaf, which completely wraps the seed. The roots of this type of plants are fasciculated. The stem, unlike in dicotyledons is not usually branched, so they do not have Cambium. In fact, in the case of herbaceous plants, the stem is hollow. As for the flowers, they are usually almost always presented in multiples of three.

We recommend you discover more information about what monocotildejeder plants and examples are with this other article.

Examples of angiosperms plants

Here are several Examples of angiosperms plantsthat surely you will know:

  • Orange
  • Poppy
  • Wheat
  • Geranium
  • Manzano
  • Ginger
  • Peach
  • Rosebush
  • Birch
  • Sugarcane
  • Banano
  • Azalea
  • Barley
  • Orchids
  • Lily
  • Clover
  • Sunflower
  • Gazania
  • Vine
  • Watermelon
  • Cucumber

To expand information about this type of plants, we advise you to read this ecology article about angiosperms plants: what are, characteristics and examples.

Difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms - examples of angiosperms plants

What are gymnosperms and their characteristics

Gymnosperms They are plants with seeds, also known as spermatophyteswhere both ovules and seeds are not covered or locked up. They are generally woody plantsas trees and shrubs.

As for their leaves, they are usually simple, mainly small and in an acicular or needle. In addition, except for exceptions, angiosperms leaves are Perennial leaves. They are also known or most easily identified for not having true flowers.

In addition, in some species the seeds have a wing to allow wind dispersion, this type of structure is known as Samara. Therefore, both pollination and fertilization are a slow process that can be lengthened for more than a year.

Examples of gymnosperms plants

ยฟWhat are the gymnosperms? Here we give you several examples:

  • Cedar
  • Pine
  • Cypress
  • Secuoyas
  • Ginkgo
  • Araucaria
  • Sabina
  • Pine
  • Douglasia
  • Larch
  • Fern
  • Juniper
  • Yew
  • Tsugas
  • Piceas
  • Fir
  • Allerces
  • Araucaria
  • Cycled
  • Lleuque

You can learn more about these plants, trees and shrubs, with this link to our article about what gymnosperms, their characteristics and examples are and with the video below on this topic.

Difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms - examples of gymnosperms plants

If you want to read more articles similar to Difference between angiosperms and gymnospermswe recommend that you enter our biology category.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
Published in