These often very unusual plants are from ancient plant families believed to be relatives of cycads, conifers and ginkgoes. The gnetophyta are comprised of three basic types of gymnosperms: Gnetum: A genus of tropical plants with highly variable morphologies, some trees and some vines.Welwitschia: The genus is comprised of single desert species, an untidy-looking plant which is essential a form of foliage growing like creepers. The growth pattern based on extensions of dicots, a type of shoot. This gives the plant a low vertical profile and protection from hot winds. Ephedra: The species from which ephedrine is derived. There are about 50 separate species in this genus. These are shrubs, usually growing naturally in dry climates on all continents except Australia. |
Examples of Gnetophyta:
https://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/botf99/gynopsperms/gnetfolder/gnetophyta.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnetophyta https://comenius.susqu.edu/bi/202/ARCHAEPLASTIDA/VIRIDIPLANTAE/gymnosperms/GNETOPHYTA/default.htm |
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Welwitschia mirabilis. |