1. A group of seed-bearing plants that are neither conifers nor flowering plants, characterized by vessel elements in their wood and often cone-like reproductive structures.
Usage: botanical; plural form; singular is gnetophyte; also called Gnetophyta when referring to the division

Examples

• Gnetophytes are an ancient lineage of plants that have survived for millions of years.
• The three main genera of gnetophytes are Gnetum, Ephedra, and Welwitschia.
• Scientists study gnetophytes to understand the evolutionary history of seed plants.
• Unlike flowering plants, gnetophytes produce seeds in cone-like structures.
• Ephedra, a type of gnetophyte, is found in arid regions around the world.