From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Male cones on a pine branch
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales

Araucariaceae, araucaria family (41)
Arctopityaceae[3] (fossils only)
Cephalotaxaceae, plum-yew family (20)
Cheirolepidiaceae† (fossils only)
Cupressaceae, cypress family (130-140)
Pinaceae, pine family (220-250)
Podocarpaceae, yellow-wood family (170-200)
Sciadopityaceae, umbrella-pine family (1)
Taxaceae, yew family (12-30)
(approximate number of species in parentheses)

The order Pinales in the division Pinophyta, class Pinopsida comprises all the extant conifers. This order was formerly known as the Coniferales.[2]

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

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

The families included are Araucariaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Sciadopityaceae, and Taxaceae.[3]


  1. ^ Christenhusz, Maarten J.M.; Reveal, James L.; Farjon, Aljos; Gardner, Martin F.; Mill, Robert R.; Chase, Mark W. (2011). "A new classification and linear sequence of extant gymnosperms". Phytotaxa 19: 55–70. 
  2. ^ [1] Zip code Zoo
  3. ^ [2] Wikispecies

External links[edit]