FRUITS AND FLOWERS 15 



surface of the cone scales (hence Gymnosperm, "naked seed") 

 and not enclosed in an ovary, as in the case of Angiosperms 

 ("covered seeds"). If a fruit be defined as a ripened ovary, there 

 is, therefore, no such thing as a true fruit in a gymnosperm. 

 Nevertheless, the cones are generally regarded as fruits, and 

 will be so treated here. 



The cones of many conifers are available in winter, either 

 attached to the branches or scattered on the ground under the tree. 

 They are, therefore, quite useful in winter identification. Like 

 the fruits of Angiosperms, coniferous fruits may be dry or fleshy. 

 In yew, the solitary seed is partially or wholly surrounded by a 

 fleshy aril (Fig. 42). In pines and most other conifers of our 

 region, there are numerous woody, leathery, or fleshy scales, 

 each with one or more seeds, generally arranged about a central 

 axis to form a cone (Fig. 40, 41). The cones generally remain 

 closed while the seeds are developing, but open at maturity to per- 

 mit the seeds to escape. The exposed portion of the cone scale in 

 an unopened cone is known as the apophysis. In some species the 

 apophysis is smooth, in others wrinkled, ridged, or grooved. 

 When the cone opens, the apophysis can generally be identified 

 because it is lighter in color than the portions of the cone which 

 had not been exposed. 



In several species the apophysis terminates in a small scar 

 called the umbo . When the umbo is located at the tip of the scale, 

 it is said to be terminal; if it is on the back, it is dorsal in its 

 location. Umbos may terminate in prickles or spines, which are 

 diagnostic and vary with the species, being straight or curved, 

 weak or strong. 



In the Pinaceae the scales are spirally inserted, but in the 

 Cupressaceae ( Thuja, Juniperus )they are opposite and decussate 

 (Fig. 44). In most conifers the scales are woody or leathery, but 

 in red cedar they are somewhat fleshy and the cone is berry-like 

 in appearance (Fig. 43). 



