Gnetophyta is a small division of seed plants comprising three very different surviving genera, Gnetum, Ephedra, and Welwitschia, that share unusual reproductive features once thought to link them to flowering plants, though the proposed relationship remains debated among botanists. The three genera differ dramatically in appearance, ranging from broad leaved tropical vines and trees in Gnetum to jointed, nearly leafless desert shrubs in Ephedra to the two enormous strap like leaves of Welwitschia that grow continuously throughout a lifespan lasting centuries.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Era First Appeared Classification
Living or Extinct Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ309147, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Gnetidae
Wikipedia- Taxonomic rank (Wikipedia confirms the entity; rank from slug/structure-wave classification)
In Group: Seed Plant Divisions, Lead
Gnetidae, commonly known as gnetophytes, is a subclass of gymnosperms within the class Pinopsida.
View the Source 3. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Gnetophyta
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Gnetophyta" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 293.52 ... "early_interval": "Sakmarian"
Wikidata: Gnetophyta
Wikidata Q111962312, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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