Characteristics

Most are trees with a single
Coniferophyta
Conifers are often called
evergreens, even though not all
are truly evergreen
Adaptations

Needle-like or scale-like leaves
reduce water loss

Stomata are tucked away inside
the needle and close as needed

Leaves are coated in cutin to
retain water
trunk and many side branches

Some grow as shrubs

Leaves are needle-like or scale-
like

Can survive extreme conditions
such as drought, high winds,
heat and cold
Adaptations

Evergreen – most conifers
keeps their needles year round

This allows plants growing in
areas with a short growing
season to photosynthesize as
soon as conditions are right,
without having to expend
energy and time growing new
leaves
Adaptations

Flexible branches – leaves trap

snow that can snap stiff
branches

The flexible branches of
evergreens allow snow to slide
off when it becomes too heavy

Reproduction

Most reproductive structures

are in cones

Most have male and female
cones on different branches of
the same tree

All conifers are wind pollinated