A CELEBRATION OF CONES

A closer look at the form and function of conifers' unique fruits

- 

Conifers bear distinct male and female flowers, usually on the same plant. The flowers themselves have a cone-like appearance, but they’re fleshy and sometimes colorful. Pollen moves from male flower to the female on the wind. Seeds develop as the female cone matures and eventu- ally releases them—in some species years later.

The shapes and sizes of cones vary by genus and even species. Cones of pines (Pinus) tend to be woody, with overlapping scales that protect the seeds. Pinecones range significantly in size: Those of sugar pine (P. lambertiana) can reach two feet long, while mugo pine (P. mugo) has cones that extend about two inches. The white-dotted cones of eastern white pine (