Comparing Angiosperms to Gymnosperms
| Angiosperm | Gymnosperm |
| Seeds are enclosed in a fruit. | Seeds are naked |
| The dominant plants of the Earth,
encompassing more than 250,000 species. |
Encompass approximately 750 species |
| Occupy both land and water. |
Are land dwelling only. |
| Of more recent evolutionary origin. . | Of more ancient origin. |
| Encompass both woody and herbaceous forms. |
Encompass only woody forms. |
| Leaves are mostly broad and flat. | Leaves are mostly needle-like |
| Have flowers. | Have strobili or cones. |
| Lack archegonia in embryo sac. | Archegonia are present. |
| Possess mostly fibrous roots | Taproots predominate. |
| Have both tracheids and vesseilns the xylem. | Have tracheids only. |
| Exhibit deliquescent branching. | Exhibit excurrent branching. |
| Many species have both microsporangia and megasporangia in the same flower. | Microsporangia and megasporangia are always separate. |
| Divided into monocots and dicots. | Polycotyledonous. |
Table 28-1 A Comparison of Angiosperms and Gymnosperms. |
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