the group of vascular flowering plants that produce seeds not enclosed in an ovary (naked seeds) —note 1. an important division is Coniferophyta, which contains most conifers and their allies; other important divisions are Ginkgophyta and Cycadophyta —note 2. the pollen- and ovule-bearing structures of gymnosperms are strobili but are often called flowers for convenience —synonym gymnosperms —see Angiospermae, strobilus This definition last updated 10/27/2008