What does spermatophyte mean?
A spermatophyte is a plant that reproduces by means of seeds. The term traditionally identifies the seed plants, a major division that includes gymnosperms, such as conifers and cycads, and angiosperms, or flowering plants. Seed production is a defining reproductive feature: seeds contain an embryo, usually together with stored food, and are enclosed by protective tissues. This reproductive strategy helped seed plants become highly successful in many terrestrial environments, although the exact relationship among living and extinct seed plants is studied through modern phylogenetic methods as well. “Spermatophyte” is primarily a scientific and taxonomic word rather than everyday vocabulary. Most speakers discussing individual kinds of plants will use terms such as pine, oak, or flowering plant instead. Nevertheless, the broader term is useful when comparing seed plants with bryophytes, ferns, and other plants that reproduce by spores. Its unusual construction also records an older use of “sperm” meaning seed.
nounA spermatophyte is a seed-bearing plant, including gymnosperms and angiosperms. In traditional plant classification, spermatophytes form a major division of the plant kingdom.
- A plant belonging to the seed plants, traditionally divided into gymnosperms and angiosperms.
"The flowering plants are the most diverse spermatophytes, having evolved an enormous variety of flowers, fruits, and seeds."
"Gymnosperms and angiosperms are the two living groups of spermatophytes."
"The fossil record provides evidence about the early development of spermatophytes and their ancestors."
The standard plural of the noun spermatophyte.
"Living spermatophytes are commonly divided into gymnosperms and angiosperms."
A spermatophyte is a plant that packages its next generation in a seed: the name joins “sperm,” in its older sense of seed, with “plant.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spermatophyte come from?
Spermatophyte was formed from Greek spermaton, meaning “seed” or “sperm,” and phyton, meaning “plant.” In modern botanical usage, the word refers specifically to plants that produce seeds, distinguishing them from spore-bearing plants such as bryophytes and ferns. Its relatives spermatid, spermatogonium, spermatogenesis, and spermatozoon share the same Greek spermato- element, although in these biological terms it refers to sperm or sperm production rather than to seeds.
How spermatophyte is actually used
This is a formal botanical and taxonomic term. In contemporary plant biology, the more specific terms gymnosperm and angiosperm are often preferred when discussing particular groups.
Easily confused with spermatophyte
A spermatophyte is a seed-bearing plant, whereas a spermatophore is a structure that produces or transports sperm.