CONIFER MALE CONE MORPHOLOGY

  • Axis
  • Microsporophylls
    • Peltum
    • Microsporangium, Sac, "anther"
    • Dehiscence longitudinal or circumcisal
  • Sterile Bracts

PINACEAE

Picea engelmanii

Picea mariana 		Picea
large peltum, serrate margin
± reticulate pattern on peltum
reticulum coarsest in center
dehiscence longitudinal

Pinus contorta

Pinus monophylla

Pinus resinosa

Pinus taeda 		Pinus
peltum reticulum isodiametric
haploxylon: smaller, not serrate
dehiscence longitudinal

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Tsuga heterophylla 		Pseudotsuga & Tsuga
very small, rounded peltum
pronounced reticulations
pronounced sacs ventrally placed
dehiscence circumcisal

Larix occidentalis 		Larix
very small, rounded peltum
with resin gland
very small rough peltum
dehiscence longitudinal

Abies concolor 		Abies
small, rounded peltum
large isodiametric reticulation
pronounced sacs laterally placed
dehiscence circumcisal

TAXACEAE

Taxus canadensis 		Taxus
6-8 sperical sacs arranged radially
no peltum

TAXODIACEAE

Taxodium distichum 		Taxodium
triangular peltum
elongate central gland
3-4 small, round sacs
dehiscence proximal

CUPRESSACEAE

Chamaecyparis thyoides 		Calocedrus, Juniperus, Thuja
prominent peltum
3-4 small, round sacs placed ventrally
peltum attached ventrally
small or absent resin gland

Juniperus osteosperma 		Calocedrus, Juniperus, Thuja
prominent peltum
3-4 small, round sacs
peltum attached centrally
small or absent resin gland


TYPES TO DRAW



See Also
Abies balsamea + concolor + lasiocarpa
Larix laricina
Picea engelmannii
Pinus albicaulis + edulis + flexilis + strobiformis
Pinus contorta + ponderosa
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Tsuga mertensiana


Juniperus deppeana


See Also Angiosperm Anthers
     Pores in Ericaceae
     Valves in Hamamelidaceae
     Divergent in Penstemon