Evolutionary history of plants seed model is shared by basically all gymnosperms (literally: "naked seeds"), most of which encase their seeds in a woody cone or fleshy aril (the yew, for example), but none of which fully enclose their seeds. The angiosperms ("vessel seeds") are the only group to fully enclose the seed, in a carpel. Fully enclosed seeds opened up a new pathway for plants to follow: that of seed dormancy. The embryo, completely isolated from the external atmosphere and hence protected from desiccation, could survive some years of drought before germinating. Gymnosperm seeds from the Late Carboniferous have been found to contain
Bird food plants sour or aromatic fruits, distasteful to human beings, even better than the cultivated kinds. Many of these bird-attracting plants are ornamental as well, since many have pretty fruits, red in color and often clinging to their branches far into the winter, furnishing grateful additions to the meager fare of hard-weather birds. The many sparrows feed chiefly on weed seeds, but more acceptable plants from the gardener's point of view can be offered to them: Wild ducks are attracted by several aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, among the most important being: Bird food plants Bird food plants are certain trees, shrubs and