Angiosperms

Angiosperms, also known as flowering plants, are the largest group of plants in the plant kingdom. They are distinguished by their ability to produce flowers and form seeds enclosed within a fruit. Angiosperms are a highly diverse group, with over 300,000 known species, and they include most of the plants we encounter in daily life, such as trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers.

Key Characteristics of Angiosperms:

1. Flowers: The reproductive structures of angiosperms, which can vary widely in appearance, color, and form.
2. Seeds Enclosed in Fruits: Angiosperms produce seeds that are enclosed within a fruit, which develops from the ovary after fertilization.
3. Double Fertilization: A unique feature of angiosperms, where one sperm cell fertilizes the egg, forming the embryo, while another sperm cell fuses with two other cells to form the endosperm, which nourishes the developing embryo.
4. Vascular Tissue: Like other higher plants, angiosperms have specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) that transport water, nutrients, and food throughout the plant.

Angiosperms are divided into two major groups:

• Monocots: These plants have one seed leaf (cotyledon), parallel leaf veins, and flower parts typically in multiples of three. Examples include grasses, lilies, and palms.
• Dicots (Eudicots): These have two seed leaves, net-like leaf veins, and flower parts typically in multiples of four or five. Examples include roses, sunflowers, and oaks.

Angiosperms play a crucial role in ecosystems and human agriculture, as they provide food, oxygen, habitat, and raw materials for various industries.