spermatophyta \sper`matoph"yta\, n. pl. nl.; spermato- + gr.
   ? plant. bot.
   a phylum embracing the highest plants, or those that produce
   seeds; the seed plants, or flowering plants. they form the
   most numerous group, including over 120,000 species. in
   general, the group is characterized by the marked development
   of the sporophyte, with great differentiation of its parts
   root, stem, leaves, flowers, etc.; by the extreme reduction
   of the gametophyte; and by the development of seeds. all the
   spermatophyta are heterosporous; fertilization of the egg
   cell is either through a

   pollen tube emitted by the microspore or in a few
      gymnosperms by spermatozoids.

   note: the phrase "flowering plants" is less distinctive than
         "seed plants," since the conifers, grasses, sedges,
         oaks, etc., do not produce flowers in the popular
         sense. for this reason the terms anthrophyta,
         phaenogamia, and panerogamia have been superseded
         as names of the phylum by spermatophyta.
         webster 1913 suppl.
see also:
pollen tube anthrophyta phaenogamia panerogamia