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Glite Dictionary
spermatophyte

spermatophyte

9.9
A plant that makes seeds to grow new plants, not spores
  • noun
  • /ˌspɜrˈmætəˌfaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : espermatofitas
  • Many species of spermatophytes, such as oak trees and sunflowers, rely on seeds for reproduction.

Examples

  • A spermatophyte produces seeds for reproduction.

  • Scientists classify flowering plants and conifers as spermatophyte groups.

  • Ferns and mosses are not spermatophytes because they reproduce by spores rather than seeds.

  • The appearance of spermatophytes marked a significant step in the evolution of land plants.

  • Many spermatophytes are found in temperate climates.

  • The study of spermatophytes helps scientists understand plant evolution and biodiversity.

  • In gardens, spermatophytes provide a variety of flowers and vegetables that grow from seeds.

Synonyms

seed plant
vsspermatophyte
1 3.2

A plant that makes seeds to grow new plants

is the scientific name for the same seed reproduction group
phanerogam
vsspermatophyte
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that makes seeds instead of spores

is the general definition stressing reproduction by seeds alone
Phanerogamae
vsspermatophyte
  • Archaic
9.9

An old name for the group of plants that have seeds

is the modern division that replaced that older classification

Surface Forms

spermatophyte singular
spermatophytes plural

Morphology

spermatophyte = sperm + phyte (opaque) = spermat + phyte

The components 'spermat' and 'phyte' are not standalone English words and require specialized knowledge of Greek-derived scientific terminology.

Etymology

Spermatophyte comes from Greek parts sperma 'seed' and phyte 'plant', so it literally means a 'seed plant' and that is why spermatophytes are plants that reproduce by seeds rather than spores.