angiosperm

[ an-jee-uh-spurm ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a plant having its seeds enclosed in an ovary; a flowering plant.

angiosperm

/ ˈændʒɪəˌspɜːm /

noun

1. See gymnosperm
   any seed-bearing plant of the phylum Angiospermophyta (division Angiospermae in traditional systems), in which the ovules are enclosed in an ovary, which develops into the fruit after fertilization; any flowering plant Compare gymnosperm

angiosperm

/ ăn′jē-ə-spûrm′ /

1. Any of a large group of plants that produce flowers. They develop seeds from ovules contained in ovaries, and the seeds are enclosed by fruits which develop from carpels. They are also distinguished by the process of double fertilization. The majority of angiosperms belong to two large classes: monocotyledons and eudicotyledons. The angiosperms are the largest phylum of living plants, existing in some 235,000 species. They range from small floating plants only one millimeter (0.04 inch) in length to towering trees that are over 100 meters (328 ft) tall.
2. Compare gymnosperm

Derived Forms

• ˌangioˈspermous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of angiosperm¹

angio- + -sperm

Example Sentences

The gymnosperms had this amazing ability to grow with very little food, and could outcompete the angiosperms.

From Science News

Afterward, ferns and conifers largely vanished, and angiosperms took over to make up about 90 percent of the plant species in the forest.

From Science News