How do gymnosperms differ from flowering plants?

Gymnosperms and angiosperms (flowering plants) are the two primary groups of vascular seed plants, but they differ significantly in their reproductive structures and biological development.1

Key Reproductive Differences

• Seed Development: The most fundamental distinction is that angiosperms produce seeds enclosed within an ovary, which matures into a protective fruit. In contrast, gymnosperms produce "naked seeds" that are typically exposed on the scales of cones (strobili) rather than being enclosed in a fruit.213
• Flowers: Angiosperms reproduce via flowers, whereas gymnosperms lack flowers entirely.21
• Fertilization: Angiosperms undergo a unique process called double fertilization, where one sperm fertilizes the egg and another fuses with nuclei to form endosperm, a nutritive tissue. In gymnosperms, the embryo is nourished by the female gametophyte tissue.45
• Structures: Angiosperms possess vessels for water conduction (with rare exceptions), while most gymnosperms do not. Additionally, angiosperms lack archegonia, which are present in most gymnosperms.2145

While both groups share basic seed-plant traits like the production of pollen and ovules, angiosperms exhibit greater diversity in growth habits and ecological roles.24