Story: Conifers

Male and female kauri cones

Male and female kauri cones

A kauri tree carries male and female cones. The male cone (left) produces pollen and the female (right) bears seeds. The male cone ripens to dark brown in about a year and releases its pollen. Female cones take three years to mature after fertilisation, at which time they are about 7 centimetres in diameter. When fully ripe they disintegrate, scattering their seeds to the wind.

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Conifers - Woody cone bearers: kauri and cypress', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12645/male-and-female-kauri-cones (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 24 Sep 2007