Alternative names: Not Applicable

Description:
Trees; leaves alternate but often in groups of 2 or a few on short shoots, needle-like; cones usually monoecious, with spirally arranged scales; male cone scales bearing 2 sporangia; female cone scales bearing 2 ovules.

Fruiting cone woody; seeds winged.

Distribution:  10 genera with about 250 species; mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, none native in Australia.

Biology: This family includes many economically important trees, including Abies (fir), Picea and Tsuga (spruces) and Larix (larch).

Taxonomic notes: The 5 species of Pinus treated below include the members of the family naturalised in S.Aust. or most likely to be mistaken for S.Aust. natives.

Author: Prepared by J.P. Jessop