Where visible, all the cone scales have bracts and are morphologically similar.

The scale bracts are hidden under the cone scales.

This cuts the vascular water supply to the cone scales, allowing the cones to dry and open for the seeds to fall.

Ovules are produced on the adaxial surface of the cone scales.

This covering is derived from a highly modified cone scale.

The spiral growth of branches, needles, and cone scales are arranged in Fibonacci number ratios.

The seeds are released when the cone scales dry out and open at maturity.

The cone scales bear between three and five winged seeds.

The central 2-3 pairs of cone scales are fertile.

However, the seeds do become covered by the cone scales as they develop in some species of conifer.