Angiosperms

Angiosperms are flowering plants that reproduce via seeds enclosed in a protective fruit structure. They represent Earth's most dominant and diverse group of land plants, comprising roughly 90% of all plant species alive today. Angiosperms evolved during the Cretaceous period and transformed terrestrial ecosystems through innovations like enclosed seeds and efficient pollination mechanisms.

The defining feature of angiosperms is the flower—a specialized reproductive structure that attracts pollinators and facilitates reproduction. After pollination, the flower's ovary develops into a fruit that protects and disperses seeds, giving these plants their other common name: "flowering plants."

Angiosperms range from tiny wildflowers to towering trees and include virtually all food crops humans depend on: grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Their partnership with pollinators and their role in food webs makes them fundamental to most terrestrial ecosystems. Their diversity has inspired artists, perfumers, and gardeners across cultures, while their evolutionary success offers fascinating lessons in ecology and adaptation.

Related

Plant life, Plant Ecology, Pollination, Flowering Plants, Fruit, Biodiversity