Conifers

What are conifers?

Conifers (Pinopsida) are gymnosperms: their seeds are not enclosed in a fruit but sit exposed on the scales of cones. They are among the oldest and most widespread trees on the planet, growing everywhere from the subarctic taiga to the mountain forests of the subtropics.

• Mostly evergreen; in the Czech Republic, larch is one example of a deciduous conifer.
• Their leaves take the form of stiff, narrow needles or tiny scales.
• Their flowers (strobili) are unisexual and wind-pollinated.
• Around 70 genera and more than 600 species are known worldwide.
• They are the main source of timber and pulpwood, and many are grown as ornamentals.

Conifers growing in the Czech Republic

Arranged according to current taxonomy. Both native genera and those commonly cultivated in the country are included.

Pinales – pine family (Pinaceae)

• Pine (Pinus)
• Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga)
• Fir (Abies)
• Hemlock (Tsuga)
• Larch (Larix)
• Spruce (Picea)

Cupressales – cypress family (Cupressaceae)

The cypress family now also includes genera formerly placed in the separate bald cypress family (Taxodiaceae).

• Juniper (Juniperus) – the only native member of the family in the Czech Republic
• False cypress (Chamaecyparis)
• Arborvitae, thuja (Thuja)
• Oriental arborvitae (Platycladus)
• Hiba (Thujopsis)
• Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria)
• Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron)
• Dawn redwood (Metasequoia)
• Bald cypress (Taxodium)

Cupressales – yew family (Taxaceae)

• Yew (Taxus)

Note: this overview does not cover every tree growing in the Czech Republic; we are gradually expanding it.