
A cone borne on conifer trees, the function of which is to facilitate reproduction.
The "female" cone (familiar woody cone) produces seeds. The "male" cones, produce pollen, and are usually much less conspicuous even at full maturity.
The individual plates of a cone are known as scales.
The female cone itself can take two or three years to reach maturity on the tree at which time it will split open and spill out the mature seeds. The cone having passed it's usefulness will then fall from the tree.
Trees which bear cones encased in a hard outer shell are members of the Gymnosperm family.
|