What Is a Gymnosperm? Naked Seeds Without Flowers
A gymnosperm is a seed plant that bears its seeds without an ovary around them. Colorado State University Extension says the word means naked seed.
The short answer
A gymnosperm is a plant that makes seeds but no flowers. CSU Extension says the seeds form on modified bracts such as pine cones. Utah State adds the seeds sit without an ovary, usually on cone scales. Conifers like pine, spruce, fir plus juniper are gymnosperms. So is the ginkgo tree.
What does naked seed mean?
CSU Extension says gymnosperms do not produce flowers. Seeds form at the tip of modified bracts. Utah State says these seeds form without an ovary. A flowering plant holds its seed inside a fruit. A gymnosperm leaves it bare on a scale or stalk.
| Option | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|
| No flowers | Gymnosperm trait | Botany (CMG GardenNotes 120) |
| No ovary | Seed sits bare | Tree and botanical glossary |
| Cone scale | Usual seed spot | Tree and botanical glossary |
Which plants are gymnosperms?
CSU lists arborvitae, junipers, Douglas fir, fir, pine plus spruce. The list also files cycads plus conifers as gymnosperms. Utah State adds the ginkgo. Many gymnosperms have scale or needle like leaves per CSU. Conifers form the cone bearing group.
Conifers: cone bearing. Cycads: also gymnosperms. Ginkgo: also gymnosperms.
How is the ginkgo different?
NC State says ginkgo does not produce fruit or flowers. It is dioecious, so male plus female trees are separate. Male trees produce pollen cones. Female trees produce ovules at the end of a stalk. Only female trees form seeds, which look yellow orange plus plumlike with foul smelling pulp. NC State calls ginkgo a living fossil. Its leaves turn golden yellow in fall.
Male tree: pollen cones. Female tree: ovules on stalks. Fall leaves: golden yellow.
Troubleshooting
Smelly seeds under a ginkgo? NC State says only female trees form seeds.
Evergreen with broad leaves? CSU notes some broadleaf evergreens are not conifers.
Needles that drop in fall? CSU says larch plus bald cypress are deciduous conifers.
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Sources
- Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Botany (CMG GardenNotes 120), Colorado State University Extension
- Tree and botanical glossary, Utah State University Extension Forestry
FAQ
Is ginkgo a conifer?
No. Utah State lists ginkgo with conifers as gymnosperms, but NC State notes it bears seeds on stalks, not in cones.
Do gymnosperms have flowers?
No. CSU Extension says gymnosperms do not produce flowers.
Are all evergreens gymnosperms?
No. CSU says some evergreens are broadleaf, such as Oregon grape plus most true hollies.
What does naked seed mean?
CSU says gymnosperm means naked seed. Utah State says the seed forms without an ovary.
What are examples of gymnosperms?
CSU lists arborvitae, junipers, Douglas fir, fir, pine plus spruce.
