Pinaceae

Trees with resinous aromatic juice, and simple, linear to needle-like leaves arranged alternately or in bundles along branches; each tree producing both pollen and seeds in separate cones. Leaves mostly evergreen, flattened or round in cross section; deciduous in Larix after turning golden in late fall.

Pollen-producing (male) cones small, solitary or clustered in leaf axils, each cone with many spirally-arranged scales; each scale with 2 pollen sacs beneath it; pollen-producing cones shrivel up and fall off each year after releasing pollen. Seed producing (female) cones solitary or in groups in leaf axils, each cone with many strongly flattened, spirally-arranged scales, these overlapping and each supported by a shorter scale-like bract; cone scales of seed-producing cones become woody at maturity. Seeds 2 per cone scale, each with a long wing on one end; seeds released as woody cone scales dry and separate. Seed-producing cones often remain on tree for up to 3 years or longer.