Conifers are a group of vascular seed plants that bear their seeds in cones. They are most abundant in cool temperate regions and include pine trees, firs, spruces, ginkgoes, junipers, yews, cypresses, and cedars. Conifers grow tall with needles or needle-shaped leaves and are often used as ornamental plants as well as sources of timber, paper products, resins, and medicinal products. Their seeds are contained within cones and are fertilized by wind-blown pollen to produce new saplings.

2. • or conifers.
• vascular plants bear their seeds in cones.
• Ex: pine trees (most common conifers)

3. Characteristics Of Conifers
• grow tall and with needles or needle-shaped leaves
• popular ornamentals in parks and other public places as
well as in private homes and gardens
• most abundant in cool temperate regions
• Ex: pine trees, firs, spruces, ginkgoes, junipers, yews,
cypresses, and cedars

4. - have bundles of two
or five leaves or needles
– have stiff sharp
needles

5. – have small needles
– have flat feather-like
leaves

6. – have flexible and
flattened leaves and – look like
scales, but the latter are flat
and triangular

7. – leaves are fan-
shaped.

8. • a group of vascular seed plants
• a species of seed plants that do not commonly produce flowers or fruits.
• The seed of gymnosperms is called “naked seeds” because they are not
surrounded by fruit tissues.
• The seed of conifers are inside the cones with berrylike covering structure,
except for ginkgo and yew, which are gymnosperms that bear flowers and
fruits.

9. PINES YEWS

10. TWO TYPES OF CONES
POLLEN CONE – pollen or tiny
capsules contain the sperm cells,
male gametophyte
SEED CONE – contain seeds,
female gametophyte

11. Seed is formed sexually.
 When the wind blows, pollen grains fall to the seed cones.
 The sperm unites with the egg, and fertilization takes place.
 For 2 or more years, the cones grow larger and the scales close
tightly to protect the seeds.
 When the seeds are fully developed, the scales open slightly and
the seeds fall to the ground.
 If the seeds fall on good soil, they germinate to grow into a new
plant called sapling or young conifer.
 One tree may fertilize its own seed cone or the pollen may drift
fertilize the female cones on another tree nearby.

12. CONIFERS AROUND THE WORLD
• Pines and other conifers grow best on sloping, well-drained soil where the annual
rainfall is at least 750 mm.
• The average temperature varies from 6 to 20 degrees Celsius.
• In the Philippines, pine trees are found in Central Cordilleras and Zambales
mountains. Tourists also enjoy resting or strolling under the tall pine trees in
Baguio City during the summer months/
• Pine trees can also be found in Southern Europe, Africa, Cyprus, Canada, and the
United States.
• Firs found in North and Central America, Europe, and Asia.
• Cedars are native plants in Lebanon, Morocco, Canada and US.
• Oldest spruce tree found in Sweden.

13. USES OF CONIFERS
• Sources of timber
• Used in making cabinets and other
pieces of furniture
• Sources of wood that are used in
making posts and in constructing
houses and buildings
• Good source of pulp for
manufacturing paper and cellulose
fibers, such as rayon, that are used
in making textile.
• Provide products like oil and resin,
which are used chiefly in varnishes
• Ginkgo and spruce produce edible
seeds and flavorings. Ginkgo nuts
are eaten in Central Asia. The tips of
spruces can be used to make beer
and boiled into tea.
• Produce medicinal and skin care
products

14. USES OF CONIFERS
• Conifers oil help clear breathing
congestion, also used as cleanser,
toner, and moisturizer to prevent
skin dryness
• Ginkgo leaves are used as tea to
enhance memory
• Spruces are natural source of vitamin
C
• Used as decorative ornamental
plants in gardens and parks
• Some people grow conifers
commercially to make Christmas
trees.