Skip to main content

Angiosperm

/AN-jee-oh-sperm/
🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate

Also known as: Magnoliophyta

A member of the division Angiospermae (Magnoliophyta), the largest and most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are distinguished by producing flowers and enclosing their seeds within a fruit (a mature ovary). They include monocots and dicots, ranging from tiny duckweed to massive eucalyptus trees. Angiosperms dominate most terrestrial ecosystems and include nearly all food crops. They evolved approximately 125 million years ago.

Etymology

Greek angeion (vessel, container) + sperma (seed)

Example

All flowering plants — from grasses to roses to oak trees — are angiosperms.