Gourt > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Plantae > Coniferophyta (180)
The conifers, division Pinophyta, also known as division Coniferae, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. They are cone-bearing seed plants with vascular tissue; all extant conifers are woody plants, the great majority being trees with just a few being shrubs. Typical examples of conifers include cedars, cypresses, douglas-firs, firs, junipers, kauris, larches, pines, redwoods, spruces, and yews. Species of conifers can be found growing naturally in almost all parts of the world, and are frequently dominant plants in their habitats, as in e.g. the taiga. Conifers are of immense economic value, primarily for timber and paper production; the wood of conifers is known as softwood.
Taxonomy and naming
The division name Pinophyta conforms with the rules of the ICBN, which state (Art 16.1) that the names of higher taxa in plants (above the rank of family) are either formed from the name of an included family, in this case Pinaceae (the pine family), or are descriptive. In the latter case the name for the conifers (at whatever rank is chosen) is Coniferae (Art 16 Ex 2), which is also in widespread use. Older scientific names (no longer allowed) are Coniferophyta and Coniferales.
Commonly but erroneously, conifers are considered equivalent to the Gymnosperms, as in areas with a temperate climate conifers are often the only commonly occurring gymnosperms. However, these are two quite different groupings; conifers are the largest and economically most important component group of the gymnosperms, but nevertheless only one of the four component groups. It is not clear if gymnosperms are a natural group; it may well be polyphyletic as the component groups like the cycads and ginkgos are quite distinct plants (see diagram below), though some recent research does indicate they may be monophyletic.
More on [ Pinophyta ]
Tis the season to teach coniferophyta whose boss.
stevedekorte (Steve Dekorte) Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:33:12 -0000
Tis the season to teach coniferophyta whose boss.
Arboretum de Villardebelle - Includes photographs and information on conifers from around the world, gymnosperm taxonomy, and scientific articles.
Meta Description: [ Arboretum de Villardebelle. Located in the South of France, the arboretum is dedicated to conifers from all around the world. ]
Conifer Central - Resources, evaluation, books, nursery sources, description, and identification. Includes original keys to major coniferous genera.
Meta Description: [ Conifer Central: conifer resources in identification, nursery sources, and cultivar checklists. ]
Gymnosperm Database - Basic information (sometimes only a name) for all species and higher-ranked taxa of the gymnosperms, including conifers, cycads, and their allies. Includes many images.
Meta Description: [ conifers.org: The Gymnosperm Database: natural history, botany and taxonomic information on conifers, cycads, ginkgo and related plants. ]
Native Conifers of North America - Key, descriptions of all genera and species, images, and range maps.
Phylum Pinophyta: The Conifers - General description with photos of selected representatives of the included families and genera.
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