Final Exam: Gnetophytes

resembles Equisetum because the leaves are tiny and barely visible and the stems themselves are bare

has xylem vessels

tracheids

only gnetophyte native to the US

dry, warm climates

dioecious

male and female are on the separate plant

plants look alike; but reproductive structures look different from one another singular seeds that are brightly colored

source of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine

can be located in asthma medications, nose drops, and diet pills

can be tree, vine, or shrub

broad leaves in common

tropical areas

produces male and female cones, but the male is functional

the female is reduced seeds are borne individually

youngleaves orseeds are eaten

people who live in tropical areas

grow slowly

broad at the top and narrow downward to form the taproot that allows moisture to be taken into the plant; looks rough

Two leaves; may be torn and appear like many leaves

desert environments (western Africa); plants get moisture from coastal mists

desert environments (western Africa); plants get moisture from coastal mists

has separate male and female plants

reproductive structures produced where the base meets the stem (strobili arise here)

reproductive structures look similar, but smaller in male and femalehas primary and secondary cones (which look like scales)

secondary cones are reduced and don’t resemble cones at allcan have clusters of primary cones

one species