Gnetophyta
Gnetophyta
Gnetophyta (pronounced: net-o-fy-ta) is a division of plants in the Kingdom Plantae. It is one of the three divisions of gymnosperms, non-flowering plants that produce seeds without a protective fruit.
Etymology
The term "Gnetophyta" is derived from the Greek words "gnetum," which is the name of a genus in this group, and "phyta," meaning plant.
Description
Gnetophyta consists of three extant families: Gnetaceae, Ephedraceae, and Welwitschiaceae, each with a unique structure and appearance. They are characterized by the presence of vessel elements, a trait they share with angiosperms, or flowering plants.
Distribution and Habitat
Gnetophytes are found in diverse habitats, ranging from tropical rainforests (as in the case of some Gnetum species) to deserts (as in the case of many Ephedra species). The Welwitschia genus consists of a single species, Welwitschia mirabilis, which is endemic to the Namib Desert in southern Africa.
Reproduction
Gnetophytes reproduce via seeds, like other gymnosperms. However, they exhibit double fertilization, a trait that is otherwise known only in angiosperms.
Economic Importance
Some species of the genus Ephedra are used in traditional medicine and for the commercial production of the drug ephedrine.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gnetophyta
- Wikipedia's article - Gnetophyta
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski