GYMNOSPERMS (GYMNOSPERMAE)

(Botanical) One of the two classes within the plant family Spermatophyta, or seed plants, the other being Angiosperms (Angiospermae). Gymnosperms are of lower phylogenetic rank, as they includes plants having the seeds naked, or not enclosed in an ovary. This class includes the extinct orders (sub-classes) Bennettitales and Cordaitales, and the orders Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Gnetales, and Pinales. Also see Angiosperms.