Download Pinaceae

Pinaceae
The Pine Family
Gymnosperm Phylogeny with required
families emphasized:
12 genera
225 species
Distribution:
Extensive geographic range, with the majority
of species in temperate climates, but found
from sub-arctic to tropical. This family is often
the dominant component of boreal and
montane forests.
Economic Uses:
- Pines are among the most commercially
important of tree species, valued for their
timber and wood pulp throughout the
world.
- Many species are used as ornamentals in
parks and large gardens.
- Pines are also commercially grown and
harvested for Christmas trees.
- Some species have large seeds, called pine
nuts, which are used for cooking and
baking.
- The soft inner bark is edible and the
needles can be used to make tea.
Prepared by: Mischa Olson
Year updated: Spring 2013
Characteristic features:
- Monoecious trees, rarely shrubs; mostly
evergreen with a few deciduous taxa.
- Resin canals in wood and leaves.
- Leaves linear to needle-like.
- Large female cones with numerous,
spirally-arranged scales and two winged
seeds on each scale.
- Two inverted ovules.
- Small male cones; pollen dispersal by
wind; pollen usually with two appendages.
Required genus: Pinus
- Needles in bundles.
- Cone scales thickened at the tip and often
armed with a prickle.
References for further inquiry:
- Bell PR and Hemsley AR. 2001. Green
Plants: Their Origin and Diversity. Second
Edition. New York (NY): Cambridge
University Press. 349 pp.
- Encyclopedia Britannica. 2012.
“gymnosperm.” Encyclopedia Britannica
Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia
Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/to
pic/250316/gymnosperm