Which plants produce seeds but not flowers?

The correct answer is based on the distinction between different plant groups concerning their reproductive structures. Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that do not produce flowers. Instead of flowers, gymnosperms bear their seeds on cones. This characteristic is a defining feature of the group, which includes conifers like pines and firs, as well as cycads and ginkgos.

In contrast, angiosperms, which are flowering plants, produce seeds enclosed within a fruit and are characterized by their flowers. Monocots, a subset of angiosperms, also rely on flowers for reproduction and seed production. Dioecious plants are defined by having separate male and female individuals, but they still belong to the categories of flowering or non-flowering plants. Therefore, their seed production is still linked to flowers.

Understanding the reproductive strategies of these plant groups is fundamental in horticulture and botany, making the classification of gymnosperms notable for their seed production method without the involvement of flowers.