A conifer cone, scientifically termed a strobilus (plural: strobili), is a seed-bearing structure found in gymnosperms, especially in conifers and cycads. These cones are often woody and vary in shape from conical to globular, with scales arranged around a central axis.
In the Pinophyta clade, the woody female cone produces seeds, while the less conspicuous male cone produces pollen. The word “cone” is derived from the Greek “konos.”
The individual scales of a cone are called scales. In species like pines, the first year’s growth appears as an umbo, while the second year’s growth is referred to as the apophysis.
