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Gymnosperm Key

HOW TO USE THIS KEY:  

     The Identification key below is a dichotomous key (two alternative choices are always given from which you choose the appropriate plant characteristic)  Be sure to read both choices before making a decision.

     To use this key, you should have in hand a cone you wish to identify.   Always start with choice number 1 and move down the key until you have identified your sample.

     (A glossary is available if you need help with the terminology in this key)

Key to the Common Gymnosperms (cones)
 1. cone scales with prickles (sharp or claw-like nails) on end go to 2
1A. cone scales without prickles or prickles not sharp but dull go to 10
2. cones large and massive, scales with heavy toenail-like claws at end go to 3
2A. cones not massive looking, scales not as above go to 4
3. cones large and heavy, 9-12 inches, light brown color

Photos by Duncan Wilson and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

 COULTER PINE Mvc-007s.jpg (47816 bytes)

3A. cones smaller, oval, 5-8 inches, darker brown

Photos by Charles Webber, California Academy of Sciences and J. E.(Jed) and Bonnie McClellan, California Academy of Sciences.

 DIGGER PINE

4. prickles very sharp if cone rubbed with palms top to bottom go to 5
4A. prickles not sharp if cone rubbed with palms go to 6
5. cone large reddish brown, over 5 inches long

Photos by Duncan Wilson, Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College and Robert Potts, California Academy of Sciences.

 PONDEROSA PINE Mvc-002s.jpg (30340 bytes)

5A. cone small, light brown, less than 5 inches long

Photos by Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College.

 BRISTLE CONE PINE

6. cones smaller than 3 inches, round to oval shape go to 7
6A. cones larger than 3 inches long go to 8
7. small cones with blunt round knobs in center of scale

Photos by Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

 PORT ORFORD CEDAR

7A. cones with longer erect knobs on scales ALASKA CEDAR
8. cones closed, knobbed on one side only, light gray color

Photos by Charles Webber, California Academy of Sciences and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

KNOBCONE PINE

8A. cones open and symmetrical go to 9
9. cones dark brown, sharp incurved prickle, thin scales JEFFERY PINE Mvc-008s.jpg (33216 bytes)
9A. cones lighter brown, dull prickle, scales ending in thick triangle

Photos by Charles Webber, California Academy of Sciences and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

 TORREY PINE

9B. cones scales tipped with a stout, spur-like prickle

Photos by Charles Webber, California Academy of Sciences and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

 BISHOP PINE

10. cones with scales with well defined bracts between scales go to 11
10A. cone scales without bracts go to 12
11. cones usually less then 3.5 inches, bracts thin

Photos by Charles Webber, California Academy of Sciences (fisrt 2) and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

DOUGLAS FIR

11A. cones usually over 5 inches, rounded scales, bracts BIG CONE DOUGLAS FIR Mvc-013s.jpg (33531 bytes)
12. scales thin and flaky go to 13
12A. scales not thin and flaky go to 14
13. scales tightly wound around cone, purplish or dark brown color

Photos by J. E.(Jed) and Bonnie McClellan, California Academy of Sciences and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College.

 TRUE CEDARS, LARCH, WHITE FIR  

13A. scales loose, papery thin, light brown

Photos by Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College and Robert Potts, California Academy of Sciences

 SITKA SPRUCE

14. cones small, less than 3 inches tall go to 15
14A. cones much larger then 3 inches tall go to 16
15. cones with thick blunt scales, taller then wide

Photos by credit Charles Webber, California Academy of Sciences and  Dorothy Judd, California Academy of Sciences.

 SEQUOIA

15A. cones wider then tall and squatty-looking PINYON PINE Mvc-005s.jpg (21464 bytes)
15B. cones less then 2 inches, oval-shape, blunt scales REDWOOD Mvc-012s.jpg (32442 bytes)
16. cones oval, chocolate brown, diamond on end of scales

Photos by Charles Webber, California Academy of Sciences and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

 MONTEREY PINE

16A. cones without diamond on end of scales go to 17
17. very large cone, greater then 10 inches long, flat scales

Photos by Duncan Wilson and Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College

 SUGAR PINE Mvc-003s.jpg (48658 bytes)

17A. cones smaller, end of scale larger then rest of scale

Photos by Brother Alfred Brousseau, St. Mary's College and Neva Snell, California Academy of Sciences

 WESTERN WHITE PINE

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Website by Duncan Wilson

Page last updated January 07, 2012

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