Gymnosperms Flashcards
1
Q
What are characteristics of the phyla Pinophyta?
A
- Less diverse than ferns, with 12 families, 80 genera, and 820 species.
- Woody and worldwide, but more dominant in colder, northern regions.
- Naked seeds in a cone. Mostly wind pollinated, and no water required for pollen movement.
- Male gametophytes mean that they are heterosporus!
2
Q
Descibe and characterize…
Cupressaceae
Cypresses
A
- Leaves are needle or scale-like
- Opposite or whorled and persistent.
- Important rot resistant trees!
3
Q
A
Thuja occidentalis
White Cedar / Arborvitae
- leaves opposite in 4 ranks and heteromorphic
- Branches flattened, with small woody cones
- Saplings and seedlings getting rarer and rarer due to increasing deer population.
4
Q
Name the genus, NOT species.
A
Juniperus
Junipers / Red cedar
- leaves closely appressed, can be scale-like or awl-like
- blue “berry” cones
- branches are not flattened
5
Q
Describe and characterize…
Taxaceae
Yews
A
- 1 genus, “Taxus”.
- Leaves are needle-like, spreading all in one plane.
- no cones, but a single seed in a fleshy aril.
6
Q
Describe and characterize…
Pinaceae
Pines
A
- 6 genera and 200 species in the northern hemisphere
- Foliage leaves are needle-like, and alternate or fascicled
- Many seeds enclosed in a fleshy to woody cone, with conspicuous cone scales
7
Q
Picea
Spruces
A
- a boreal element, similar to Abies superficially, but the needles are square in cross section and pointy to the touch.
- spruce cones tend to point down, and fir cones tend to point up.
8
Q
Larix
Larches and Tamaracks
A
- commonly grows in swamp forests
- needles in bunches
- Wisconsin’s only deciduous conifer!
