The impact of seed plants on our lives
A scanning electron microscope image of a blueberry (Vaccinium sp.), artificially coloured by computer
In large part seed plants provide the landscape around us and are the plants we most notice on a daily basis.
They are essential to civilisation, providing food, medicines, timber, paper and a host of other resources.
They are also of vital importance in controlling erosion, water systems and even pollution.
They can also cause problems: for example hayfever is caused by pollen shed by these plants.