There are about 550 species of conifer, most of which are
large, evergreen trees. Their leaves are often needle-shaped and usually have a
thick, waxy coating that guards against water loss and freezing. Conifers
produce their seeds on the woody scales of CONES, or in fleshy cups.
Cypresses produce scalelike leaves which are evergreen and aromatic.
All conifers produce fragrant resins.
Larches are unusual because they are deciduous conifers. In the
autumn, they shed their needlelike leaves.
Yews, firs, and some redwoods have small, flat leaves that grow on
opposite sides of the stems.
The reproductive parts of coniferous plants are contained
in cones. Most cones are woody, but some, such as those on yew trees, are soft
and look like berries. The cones of pine and spruce trees usually fall to the
ground in one piece, but the cones of cedars and most fir trees break up while
still on the tree.
