What is a key characteristic of gymnosperms?

Gymnosperms are characterized by their production of seeds that are not enclosed in fruits, which is a defining feature that differentiates them from angiosperms, or flowering plants, which do have seeds enclosed within fruits. The seeds of gymnosperms typically develop on the scales of cones or other structures without the protective outer layer provided by fruit. This reproductive strategy allows gymnosperms, such as conifers, to effectively disperse their seeds in their environment.

In contrast, the other options describe characteristics that do not align with what gymnosperms represent. For example, the production of seeds enclosed in fruits pertains to angiosperms. The mention of having no true seeds and reproducing with spores is a characteristic of non-seed plants, like ferns and mosses. Additionally, while some gymnosperms may thrive in certain aquatic environments, they are not exclusively aquatic plants; many grow in diverse terrestrial habitats. Therefore, the identification of gymnosperms producing seeds that are not enclosed in fruits accurately encapsulates this group's fundamental botanic trait.