Describe the important characteristics of gymnosperms.

(N/A) Important features of gymnosperms:
$(a)$ The term gymnosperm refers to plants with naked seeds (gymnos - naked,sperma - seeds),i.e.,the seeds of these plants are not enclosed in fruits.
$(b)$ The plant body ranges from medium to tall trees and shrubs. The giant redwood tree $Sequoia$ is one of the tallest trees in the world.
$(c)$ The root system consists of tap roots. The coralloid roots present in $Cycas$ are associated with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria.
$(d)$ The stem can be branched (as in $Pinus$ and $Cedrus$) or unbranched (as in $Cycas$).
$(e)$ The leaves can be simple (as in $Pinus$) or compound (pinnate in $Cycas$). The leaves are needle-like,with a thick cuticle and sunken stomata. These adaptations help in preventing water loss.
$(f)$ Gymnosperms are heterosporous. They produce two kinds of spores: microspores and megaspores.