As we all know, plants need three things to grow: sun, water, and soil. But what many people don’t know is that the first step in growing a plant is planting a seed.
Seeds are tiny capsules of life that can turn into trees or delicate flowers. There are thousands of different kinds of seeds, and each one has its own story to tell.
Here, we’ll take a look at some examples of seed plants from around the world. Thus, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn about some amazing organisms!
What You Need to Learn About Seed plants
It’s sad that seed plants don’t get the same attention as, say, flowering plants. But seed plants are the foundation of most terrestrial ecosystems. And without them, we wouldn’t have things like trees or bushes or grass.
True, seed plants aren’t usually the flashiest members of the plant world. But they’re incredibly important nonetheless.
So what exactly are seed plants?
They’re plants that produce seeds, obviously. But unlike other types of plants, seed plants don’t need water for fertilization.
Instead, their seeds are fertilized by pollen, which is carried by wind or animals. Seed plants include both gymnosperms and angiosperms. Gymnosperms are “naked seed” plants, like conifers and cycads.
Angiosperms are “flowering” plants, like roses and apples. Most of the world’s plants are angiosperms.
Seed plants are incredibly diverse, and they play an important role in every country on earth.
Types of Seed Plants
There are two main types of seed plants: angiosperms and gymnosperms.
Angiosperms
You may know them as flowering plants, and these are most common types of seed plants.
The plants produce seeds that are enclosed in a protective layer, such as a flower or fruit.
Seed plants are further divided into monocots and dicots based on the number of cotyledons or seed leaves they possess. Monocots typically have one cotyledon, while dicots have two. Within these two groups, there is a great deal of diversity among seed plants.
Gymnosperms
Gymnosperms, on the other hand, produce exposed seeds that are not enclosed in a protective layer.
In fact, they are distinguished from other plants by their naked seeds.
You’ll find these seed plants in all parts of the earth.
These plants provide food and shelter for wildlife, and their wood is used for building material and fuel. Some gymnosperms, such as pine trees, are also grown commercially for their timber.
A Few Examples of Angiosperms
Cherries
Scientific Name: Prunus Avium
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Amygdaloideae
Tribe: Amygdaleae
Genus: Prunus L.
It belongs to the Angiosperm family. This family includes all flowering plants, which is why cherries have a beautiful bloom around their stem.
These are delicate fruit and must be harvested by hand in order to avoid bruising. You’ll see them red or dark purple in color when ripe and have a juicy, sweet flesh.
Cherries are a common ingredient in pies, jams, and other desserts. You can also eat them as a snack or make cherry juice. Because of their short season, cherries are often seen as a summertime treat.
Keep in mind that cherries are just one example of the amazing diversity found within the Angiosperm family. This family includes everything from delicate flowers to towering trees. Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of different species, Angiosperms truly are the backbone of the plant world.
Pears
Scientific Name: Pyrus Communis L.
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Amygdaloideae
Tribe: Maleae
Subtribe: Malinae
Genus: Pyrus L.
These fall into the category of Angiosperms because they have a blossom end and an ovary. The ovary is where the seeds develop.
Pears also have a stem, leaves, and a root system. These are available in many amazing colors, including green, yellow, and red.
These fruits are a good source of vitamins C and K. They also contain fiber and antioxidants.
Azalea
Scientific Name: Rhododendron indicum
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Rhododendron
Subgenus: Rhododendron subg. Azaleastrum
Section: Rhododendron sect. Tsutsusi
These are distinguished from other plants by their flowers, which contain both male and female parts. This allows them to self-pollinate, or fertilize themselves without the need for outside assistance.
These also have seeds that are encased in a hard shell. This helps to protect the seeds from being eaten by animals.
They are prized for their beautiful flowers. They usually bloom in the spring, and their blossoms come in several gorgeous colors.
Rhododendron
Scientific Name: Rhododendron ferrugineum
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Subfamily: Ericoideae
Tribe: Rhodoreae
Genus: Rhododendron L.
You’ll find them in the mountainous regions of Asian countries such as Nepal, Tibet, and India.
It’s a member of the Ericaceae family, which also includes azaleas, blueberries, and cranberries.
The plant can grow to be quite large, with some species reaching heights of 30 feet or more. The leaves are usually dark green and glossy, and the flowers range in color from white to pink to purple.
Rhododendrons prefer cool temperatures and shady conditions, so they are not well suited for hot climates. They also need acidic soil in order to flourish.
Broccoli
Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Species: B. oleracea
It’s one of those vegetables that you either love or hate. Some people find its slightly bitter taste to be off-putting, while others enjoy its crunchy texture and appreciate the health benefits that it provides.
It’s an excellent source of vitamins C and K, as well as fiber and folic acid. So, if you want a healthy body, you might like to add it to your diet.
Furthermore, it also contains compounds that have been shown to boost the immune system.
Though you can consume it raw, many prefer to cook it in order to soften the texture and reduce the bitterness. Steaming is a popular method, but broccoli can also be roasted, grilled, or stir-fried.
A Few Examples of Gymnosperms
Pine Trees
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Subfamily: Pinoideae
Genus: Pinus L.
Unlike angiosperms, gymnosperms don’t produce fruits or flowers at all. Instead, their seeds are exposed, making them vulnerable to drying out.
However, for this reason, gymnosperms can reproduce in cold environments where angiosperms would struggle to survive.
Pine trees are a common type of gymnosperm, and they play an important role in the environment. These trees help to stabilise the soil and provide shelter for other plants and animals. In addition, their needles make the perfect home for caterpillars, which are an important food source for birds.
You can identify pine trees by looking at their darker and of muted leaves.
Cypress
Scientific Name: Cupressus sempervirens
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Cupressaceae
Subfamily: Cupressoideae
Genus: Cupressus L.
These trees are special because of how adaptable they are- they can grow in water, on hillsides, and in swamps.
They’re also one of the longest-living tree species around. The wood is rot-resistant and was used by ancient cultures to build boats and houses.
And even today, it’s still used by people for construction and furniture-making.
Hemlock
Scientific Name: Conium maculatum
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Conium
Species: C. maculatum
It’s one of those very beautiful trees that you must have in your property. The tree has a dense, conical crown of dark green needles.
It also offers itself as an essential medium of food and shelter for many animals, including squirrels, birds, and deer.
However, you may know it for its poisonous properties. All parts of the tree contain a substance called coniine, which can cause paralysis and death if ingested in large quantities.
For this reason, it is important to be cautious when handling hemlock or any products made from it.
Yew Tree
Scientific Name: Taxus baccata
Classifications:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Taxaceae
Genus: Taxus
Species: T. baccata
An interesting thing about the yew tree is that it has a thick trunk with red-brown bark and small, dark green leaves.
However, you may need to be careful of the fruit of the tree. It gives birth to small, round berries that are harmful to humans but attractive to birds.
Regarding the wood, it’s dark red and very dense.
For centuries, our ancestors have been using tree for making beautiful furniture and archery bows.