Describe the important characteristics of gymnosperms.

Characteristics of gymnosperms:

1. Gymnosperm plants have naked seeds, which means that their seeds are not covered within a fruit.
2. The plant body consists of intermediate to tall shrubs and trees.
3. The gigantic redwood tree that is Sequoia is among the world's tallest trees.
4. Tap roots make up the root network. Cycas' coralloid roots are connected for nitrogen-fixing with cyanobacteria.
5. The stem might be branched or unbranched.
6. Simple leaves (as in Pinus) or complex leaves (pinnate in Cycas).
7. The leaves are needle-like that have tough cuticles and sunken stomata.
8. These prevent the occurrence of water loss.
9. Gymnosperms have heterosporous spores.
10. These produce different types of spores: microspores and megaspores.