coniferous

American  

[koh-nif-er-uhs, kuh-] / koʊˈnɪf ər əs, kə- /

adjective

Botany.

1. belonging or pertaining to the conifers.

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coniferous British  

/ kɒ-, kəˈnɪfərəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the plant phylum Coniferophyta See conifer

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Etymology

Origin of coniferous

First recorded in 1655–65; see origin at conifer, -ous

Explanation

Anything that's coniferous has to do with trees or shrubs that grow pinecones. If you celebrate Christmas, you might observe the holiday by decorating a coniferous tree with lights and ornaments. The adjective coniferous is used to describe conifers, woody evergreens that have cones and needles rather than leaves. Coniferous forests and taigas are full of these trees, including pines, hemlocks, junipers, and firs. Whenever you see a pinecone, you can be sure it came from a coniferous tree or shrub. The Latin source of coniferous means "cone-bearing," from roots conus, "cone," and ferre, "to carry."

Example Sentences

It tore through more than 4,000 acres of dense coniferous forest near the Seattle City Light’s hydropower dams and two towns that house staff.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2024

They were also more likely to consume seeds on the spot in coniferous forests than in broadleaf forests, again probably because of the availability of other food stores.

From Science Daily • Nov. 6, 2023

Then she released it back into the morning sky to complete its journey north to breeding grounds in the dense coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2023

In the West's coniferous forests, that often means black-backed woodpeckers.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2022

She was pointing to a great cedar, one of the few coniferous trees among the rest.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman