Characteristics of gymnosperms are as follows
(i) Naked-seeded plants, i.e., their ovules are exposd
and not enclosed in ovaries. Hence, the seeds are
naked without fruits.
(ii) Tap root system is present. They show synbiotg
association with fungi to form mycorrhizae or with
N2-fixing cyanobacteria to form coralloid roots as in
Cycas.
(iii) Leaves are large and needle-shaped.
(iv) Vascular tissues are well-developed.
(v) Gymnosperms are heterosporous.
(vi) Pollination by wind and deposited in ovules.
(vii) Fertilisation occurs in archegonia.
(viii) Retention of female gametophyte inside the
ovule and the ovules on the sporophytic plant
for complete development is responsible for
the development of seed habit.