spermatophyta

Spermatophyta
    n 1: seed plants; comprises the Angiospermae (or Magnoliophyta)
         and Gymnospermae (or Gymnospermophyta); in some
         classification systems Spermatophyta is coordinate with
         Pteridophyta (spore producing plants having vascular tissue
         and roots) and Bryophyta (spore producing plants lacking
         vascular tissue and roots) [syn: {Spermatophyta}, {division
         Spermatophyta}]
    

Spermatophyta \Sper`ma*toph"y*ta\, n. pl. [NL.; spermato- + Gr.
   ? plant.] (Bot.)
   A phylum embracing the highest plants, or those that produce
   seeds; the seed plants, or flowering plants. They form the
   most numerous group, including over 120,000 species. In
   general, the group is characterized by the marked development
   of the sporophyte, with great differentiation of its parts
   (root, stem, leaves, flowers, etc.); by the extreme reduction
   of the gametophyte; and by the development of seeds. All the
   Spermatophyta are heterosporous; fertilization of the egg
   cell is either through a

   {pollen tube} emitted by the microspore or (in a few
      gymnosperms) by spermatozoids.

   Note: The phrase "flowering plants" is less distinctive than
         "seed plants," since the conifers, grasses, sedges,
         oaks, etc., do not produce flowers in the popular
         sense. For this reason the terms {Anthrophyta},
         {Phaenogamia}, and {Panerogamia} have been superseded
         as names of the phylum by Spermatophyta.
         [Webster 1913 Suppl.]