Plants of this group are diploid and well adapted to extreme conditions. They grow bearing sporophylls in compact structures called cones. The group in reference is


• In gymnosperms the sporophylls cluster together form a compact structure called the cone; which is the salient feature of this division.

• Main plant body is sporophyte [2n].


• It shows xerophytic adaptations, helps to resist extreme conditions which are:


Thick cuticle, needle shaped leaf, sunken stomata and sclerenchymatous hypodermis. All these adaptation helps to minimise water loss through transpiration.

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