Topic #1: Characteristics of Pinophyta

• Pinophyta includes mostly monoecious plants
• Monoecious - 1 plant has both male and female cones
• Size dimorphism is evident with Female cones being larger than Male cones.
• Majority exhibit Monopodial Growth with strong dominance of apical meristem and having a tapering end
• Monopodial growth refers to the upward growth of a plant from a single point, where the stem elongates each year by adding leaves to the apex.
• Sympodial growth involves branching from lateral shoots, monopodial plants have a single trunk or stem.
• Pinophyta leaves are needle-like, scale-like, and strap-like.
• Strap-like means they are characterized by their elongated and narrow shape — resembling straps or ribbons that are typically long and slender
• Pinophyta is generally resinous with all parts producing resin
• Pinophyta is heterosporous, meaning it produces both Megaspores and Microspores
• Their female gametophyte is called Archegonia same as the Embryo sac in Angiosperms.
• Pinophyte have non-flagellated sperms.
• Moss and ferns have flagellated sperms which is why water is needed.
• Gymnosperms, on the other hand, do not neeed water to reproduce
• Have a single or compound ovule with single integument in the ovule
• They are Anemophilous or wind-pollinated.
• It takes them 2-3 years to complete a life cycle
• Consists only of a single class, Pinopsida.