Is the sycamore tree a flowering plant?

Question

and what does GYMNOSPERM mean?

Answer 1

Sycamore is a general term for many plants . So let us look at them one by one =

1) Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore or Sycamore Maple to distinguish it from other plants called sycamore) is a species of maple native to central Europe and southwestern Asia, from France east to Poland, and south in mountains to northern Spain, northern Turkey, and the Caucasus.

It is a flowering tree .

2 )Ficus sycomorus, called the sycamore fig or the fig-mulberry (due to the leaves' resemblance to those of the Mulberry), sycamore, or sycomore, is a fig species that has been cultivated since early times. (Note that the name sycamore has been used for a variety of plants.)

It is also a flowering tree.

3)The American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), also known as American plane, Occidental plane, and Buttonwood, is one of the species of Platanus native to North America.

It is usually called Sycamore in North America, a name which can also refer to other types of tree.

It is also a flowering tree.

4 )California Sycamore, also called Western Sycamore or Aliso, is a Plane tree, with the botanic name of Platanus racemosa.

It has palmately lobed leaves and ball-like, hairy fruit clusters, and bark that flakes off in large patches.

It is informally also called "buttonball" or "buttonwood".

It is also a flowering tree . So finally it is firmly established that the term ' Sycamore ' in connection with plant always refers to a flowering tree of one type or the other !!!

Now about the term gymnosperm....

The term GYMNOSPERM is applied to a large group of plants that have the following features .

1) These are mostly trees rarely shrubs but never herbs .

This character is  not a distinguishing one .

2 ) They have xylem and phloem  ( conducting elements ).

Also not an unique feature .

3 )These are seed bearing plants . This is an important feature as it is shared only with the Angiosperms .

4 )THERE IS SEED FORMATION AS EXPECTED (REF.3)

BUT NO FRUIT FORMATION AS THERE IS NO OVARY AROUND THE OVULES .

THE OVULES OR LATER ON THE SEEDS ARE NAKED i.e. WITHOUT ANY PROTECTIVE COVERING .

HENCE THE NAME GYMNOSPERM ( i.e. NAKED SEEDS )

.This is the most important distinguishing character as it is UNIQUE  for that group.

All conifers ,cycas etc. come in this group.

From = Botanist

Answer 2

The short answer is yes it is.  

Gymnosperm ="naked seed".  This refers to plants with cones   or conifers and some others.