biology daily - the biology and biochemistry encyclopedia
biology daily articles and research Encyclopedia Dictionary Forums biology research links Weblinks Pictures Articles Blogs Newsletter

Pinales

Pinaceae, pine family
Araucariaceae, araucaria family
Podocarpaceae, yellow-wood family
Phyllocladaceae
Sciadopityaceae, umbrella-pine family
Cupressaceae, cypress family
Cephalotaxaceae, plum-yew family
Taxaceae, yew family

The Order Pinales in the Division Pinophyta, Class Pinopsida comprises all the extant conifers. This order was formerly known as the Coniferales.

The distinguishing characteristic is the reproductive structure known as a cone produced by all Pinales. All of the extant conifers, such as cedar, pine, spruce, fir, larch, redwood, cypress, juniper, and yew are included here. Some fossil conifers, however, belong to other distinct orders within the Division Pinophyta (see for details).

The yews have in the past been separated into a distinct order of their own (Order Taxales), but recent genetic evidence indicates that yews are monophyletic with other conifers and they are now included in the Order Pinales.



07-14-2008 23:18:10
The contents of this article are licensed from Wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. How to see transparent copy
BiologyDaily.com 2005. Legal info   Privacy