The Paleontology of North America

Conifers and Relatives from North America

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Pinus balli
Pinus balli
© 1998 UCMP

Sequoia affinis
Sequoia affinis
© 1998 UCMP

Lebachia piniformis
Lebachia piniformis
© 1998 Dr. Richard Paselk, Humboldt State University Natural History Museum

What are Conifers and Relatives? Conifers are seed-bearing plants whose reproductive structures are grouped together in cones. While most are evergreen (they keep their leaves year-round), some drop their leaves once a year. And while most have thin, needle- or scale-like leaves, some conifers have wide leaves. Their extinct relatives, the Cordaitales, share some but not all characters with conifers. The first record of conifers comes from the Carboniferous, and many species survive today, including the oldest living organisms, the bristlecone pines, and the tallest ones, the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron).

First known fossil occurrence: Carboniferous.

Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives.

Fossils through time:
Choose a time period to see what life was like:

Quaternary
Tertiary
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Precambrian