A scientist is observing a gymnosperm. It is a desert shrub with needle-like leaves. The shrub has a deep root system and produces cones.Which gymnosperm is the scientist most likely observing?

The shrub is most likely a gnetophyte, specifically an Ephedra-like plant. Some gnetophytes grow as shrubs in deserts and produce cones. Needle-like leaves alone are not decisive, since other gymnosperms, such as conifers, can also have them; ginkgoes instead have distinctive fan-shaped leaves.

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