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A conifer is a tree. They do not have flowers, but have needles and
cones. They are also evergreens so they don't lose their leaves in winter.
They are specially designed to live in cold habitats. The branches are
bedy so that heavy snow slides to the gound without damaging the tree. The needles have a
waxy coating to stop them losing too much water. By keeping their leaves, conifers can
quickly begin food production when the warm weather returns in the spring.
| The conifers are helped through the winters by the fungi
living among the trees' roots. These fungi get minerals from the decomposing litter and
transfer the nutrients to the roots. In turn the fungi gets foods from the trees. Approximately
600 species are counted as conifers including the pines, firs, spruces, cedars, junipers,
and yew. |
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More information on conifers
What's the
difference between a conifer and other trees?
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