Conifers

The conifers are the principal living group of the gymnosperms, seed plants without flowers.  The seeds are produced in cones, which can be woody.

Three conifer families are native to New Zealand.  There are c. 20 species in the Podocarpaceae, including important forest trees such as rimu, kahikatea, and totara.  The kauri (Agathis australis) is the sole indigenous member of the Araucariaceae, and there are two native Libocedrus species in the Cupressaceae.

Exotic conifers are also now prominent components of the New Zealand landscape, including pines and macrocarpas.