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Article: Angiosperms
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- Biology
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Angiosperms
The angiosperms, or flowering plants, are the largest and most species-rich
phylum
of plants, with more than 250,000 species estimated.
Defining Characteristics
The term "angiosperm" derives from two Greek words:
angeion,
meaning "vessel," and
sperma,
meaning "seed." The angiosperms are those plants whose seeds develop within a surrounding layer of plant tissue, called the carpel, with seeds attached around the margins. This arrangement is easily seen by slicing into a tomato, for example. Collectively, carpels together with the style and stigma are termed the ovary, and these plus associated structures develop into the mature fruit. The enclosed seeds and the presence ...