Family PINACEAE
Description: Trees, rarely shrubs.
Leaves alternate needle-like, spreading.
Cones monoecious, with numerous spirally arranged scales. Male cones lateral, short-lived, the sporophylls with 2 sporangia. Female cones terminal, persistent, the scales finally woody, each with 2 ovules on the upper surface. Ovules facing inwards.
Seeds woody; embryo with many cotyledons.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 9 genera, c. 250 species, Northern Hemisphere. Australia: 2 genera, c. 12 species (all naturalized), Qld, N.S.W., Vic., Tas., S.A., W.A.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Pinaceae, Order: Pinales)
Wikipedia
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the genera | |
| 1 | Adult leaves in fascicles with basally sheathing bracts | Pinus |
| Adult leaves solitary | Picea |
|
