14 PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANY 
marriage or union], since it was formerly believed that the sexual 
organs of these plants were obscure. They reproduce by spores, 
and, for the greater number, also by sexual reproduction. 
_ 4 
‘ *. 
, = 
Fic. 8.—A.gymnosperm, Zamia. Note the large cone which when mature bears 
naked seeds. 
The most highly evolved group of plants is that of the seed 
plants or SPERMATOPHYTA [Gk. sperma, seed; phyton, plant] of 
which the more familiar herbs, bushes, vines and trees are 
examples. The Spermatophytes are also called the PHANERO- 
GAs [Gk. planeros, evident; gamos, union], because it was formerly 
believed that they alone showed evident sexual organs. They 
are characterized by possessing flowers and producing seeds. 
