coniferous

Coniferous refers to plants in the conifer group, a lineage of gymnosperms known for bearing cones and having needle- or scale-like leaves. Most conifers are evergreen, retaining foliage year-round, though a few species, such as larches, shed needles seasonally. The living conifers are grouped in the division Pinophyta and include many familiar genera, such as Pinus (pines), Picea (spruces), Abies (firs), Cedrus (cedars), Cupressus and Juniperus (cypresses and relatives), and Sequoia and Sequoiadendron (redwoods).

Leaves are typically slender and adapted to reduce water loss, with needle- or scale-like forms that persist for several years. Conifers reproduce via cones: male (pollen) cones release gametes into the air, and female cones develop seeds that are often winged to aid wind dispersal. Fertilization occurs within the cone, and mature seeds are released when cones open or decay.

Ecologically, conifers are common in boreal and montane regions and can form extensive forests known as taiga. They tolerate cold winters and, in many species, nutrient-poor soils. Coniferous forests influence fire regimes, soil chemistry, and habitat structure, and they host diverse plant and animal communities.

Economically, conifers are valued for timber, pulp, and resin. They are widely cultivated as ornamentals and for reforestation, and they play a major role in carbon storage and landscape ecology.