AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Conifers can be identified by the needles, cones and sometimes the color of the bark. Pine needles are in groups of 2, 3 or 5 and are longer than spruce and fir needles. Spruce needles are single needles emanating around the branch and have four sides.

Detailed explanation-2: -Conifers generally have persistent foliage consisting of needles or scales.

Detailed explanation-3: -The surest way to identify conifers is to examine the needles and cones along with the bark. In general the bark of pine trees is smooth on young trees but develops a flaky, reddish-brown color with age. Scots pines have a particularly orange/red peeling bark. White pines can have smooth bark, even when mature.

Detailed explanation-4: -Coniferous trees have small, waxy and usually narrow leaves (needles or flat scales). ‘Coniferous’ means that it is a cone-bearing tree. The most common conifers are spruces, pines and firs. Alternative names used for coniferous trees are evergreens, softwoods and (appropriately enough) conifers.