Fig. 7.

Diagrammatic representation of a single seed cone scale from Pinus (A), Pherosphaera (B), Saxegothaea (C) and Microcachrys (D). Pinus is used to represent a typical coniferous cone scale arrangement. The ovule with micropyle is shown in yellow, the bract scale is in dark green and the ovuliferous scale and epimatium is in light green. In (B) (Saxegothaea) and (C) (Microcachrys), the epimatium is interpreted as a homologous structure to ovuliferous scale in other conifers. In (D) (Pherosphaera), the epimatium has disappeared completely.