seed plants; comprises the Angiospermae (or Magnoliophyta) and Gymnospermae (or Gymnospermophyta); in some classification systems Spermatophyta is coordinate with Pteridophyta (spore producing plants having vascular tissue and roots) and Bryophyta (sporeproducing plants lacking vascular tissue and roots)
A phylum embracing the highest plants, or those that produce seeds; the seed plants, or flowering plants
All the Spermatophyta are heterosporous; fertilization of the egg cell is either through a pollen tube emitted by the microspore or (in a few gymnosperms) by spermatozoids
In general, the group is characterized by the marked development of the sporophyte, with great differentiation of its parts root, stem, leaves, flowers, etc