Gnetophyta are closely related to conifers, and are divided into three smaller genera: Gnetum, Ephedra, and Welwitschia. Ephedra grows in American deserts, Gnetum grows in the tropics, and Welwitscha grow in the Sahara Desert. They all have water-conducting cells, which give them an advanced vascular system. They also use double fertilization. Gnetophytes were thought to be connected to angiosperms, but this is not true.

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