gymnosperm

Definition

Any plant such as a conifer whose seeds are not enclosed in an ovary.

Etymology

from Ancient Greek γυμνός (gumnós, “naked”) + σπέρμα (spérma, “seed”). By surface analysis, gymno- + sperm.

Example Sentences

• "Like cycads — their gymnosperm relatives — and ferns, the ginkgo produces motile sperm."
• "The palynoassemblage is rich in angiosperm taxa (45.63%) followed by gymnosperms (0.45%), pteridophytes (18.49%) and fungal remains (23.88%)."