HelenHelenby Kathy Mosdal O’Brienby Kathy Mosdal O’Brien

It was probably ’35 or so and company came for dinner.It was probably ’35 or so and company came for dinner.Beans and bread was all they had and not a lot of that.Beans and bread was all they had and not a lot of that.

Once they’d eaten and leaned back she cleared away the plates.Once they’d eaten and leaned back she cleared away the plates.She brought out the heirloom bowls and gave one to each guest.She brought out the heirloom bowls and gave one to each guest.

Then, to each in turn, she gave another gift: Then, to each in turn, she gave another gift: cardboard glasses, red cellophane lenses.cardboard glasses, red cellophane lenses.

““Now put them on,” she said.Now put them on,” she said.Then, to each in turn another bowl of beans.Then, to each in turn another bowl of beans.

““Now,” she said and smiled again,Now,” she said and smiled again,““Now they’re strawberries!”Now they’re strawberries!”

CupressaceaeCupressaceae The The CupressaceaeCupressaceae (aka cypress family) is a conifer, (aka cypress family) is a conifer,

thus gymnosperm, family with worldwide thus gymnosperm, family with worldwide distribution. It is in the order Pinales.distribution. It is in the order Pinales.

The family includes 29 to 32 genera with about 110-The family includes 29 to 32 genera with about 110-130 species. 130 species.

They are monoecious, subdioecious or (rarely) They are monoecious, subdioecious or (rarely) dioecious trees and shrubs from groundhugging to dioecious trees and shrubs from groundhugging to nearly four hundred feet tall. nearly four hundred feet tall.

The bark of mature trees is commonly orange- to red- The bark of mature trees is commonly orange- to red- brown and of stringy texture, often flaking or peeling brown and of stringy texture, often flaking or peeling in vertical strips, but smooth, scaly or hard and in vertical strips, but smooth, scaly or hard and square-cracked in some species.square-cracked in some species.

CupressaceaeCupressaceae

Major genera worldwide:Major genera worldwide: Juniperus, Callitropsis, Callitris, Cupressus, Juniperus, Callitropsis, Callitris, Cupressus,

Chamaecyparis, Thuga, Taxodium, Sequoia, Chamaecyparis, Thuga, Taxodium, Sequoia, SequoiadendronSequoiadendron..

Genera in Montana:Genera in Montana: Juniperus, ThujaJuniperus, Thuja

Juniperus communisJuniperus communis L. L.Family: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Colloquial name: Common juniper Colloquial name: Common juniper Leaves in whorls of 3, needle-like, whitish on upper Leaves in whorls of 3, needle-like, whitish on upper

side; rocky hills, mountain slopes, and woods. side; rocky hills, mountain slopes, and woods.

Juniperus horizontalisJuniperus horizontalis Moench MoenchFamily: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Colloquial Name: Creeping JuniperColloquial Name: Creeping Juniper Plants shrubby, trailing, rarely over 3 dm high; leaves Plants shrubby, trailing, rarely over 3 dm high; leaves

strongly apiculate/ plains and foothill slopes.strongly apiculate/ plains and foothill slopes.

Apiculate LeavesApiculate LeavesJuniperus horizontalisJuniperus horizontalis

With a short, sharp, flexible point at tip.With a short, sharp, flexible point at tip.

Juniperus scopulorumJuniperus scopulorum Sarg. Sarg.Family: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Colloquial Name: Colloquial Name: Rocky Mountain Rocky Mountain JuniperJuniper

Juniperus scopulorumJuniperus scopulorum Sarg. Sarg.Family: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Leaves mostly longer Leaves mostly longer than wide, their margins than wide, their margins entire.entire.

Leaves mostly opposite Leaves mostly opposite and scale-like, usually and scale-like, usually not whitened above.not whitened above.

Cones blue, ripening in Cones blue, ripening in second year. Pulp second year. Pulp sweetish.sweetish.

CupressaceaeCupressaceae This is the most widely distributed conifer family, with a near-This is the most widely distributed conifer family, with a near-

global range in all continents except for Antartica, stretching global range in all continents except for Antartica, stretching from 71°N in arctic Norway (from 71°N in arctic Norway (Juniperus communisJuniperus communis) south to ) south to 55°S in southernmost Chile (55°S in southernmost Chile (Pilgerodendron uviferumPilgerodendron uviferum), while ), while Juniperus indicaJuniperus indica reaches 5200 m altitude in Tibet, the highest reaches 5200 m altitude in Tibet, the highest altitude reported for any woody plant. altitude reported for any woody plant.

Most habitats on land are occupied, with the exceptions of Most habitats on land are occupied, with the exceptions of polar tundra and tropical lowland rainforest (though several polar tundra and tropical lowland rainforest (though several species are important components of temperate rainforests and species are important components of temperate rainforests and tropical highland cloud forests); they are also rare in deserts, tropical highland cloud forests); they are also rare in deserts, with only a few species able to tolerate severe drought, with only a few species able to tolerate severe drought, notably notably Cupressus dupresianaCupressus dupresiana in the central Sahara of Africa. in the central Sahara of Africa.

Despite the wide overall distribution, many genera and species Despite the wide overall distribution, many genera and species show very restricted distributions, and many are endangered show very restricted distributions, and many are endangered species. species.

CupressaceaeCupressaceae The leaves are arranged either spirally, in decussate pairs The leaves are arranged either spirally, in decussate pairs

(opposite pairs, each pair at 90° to the previous pair) or in (opposite pairs, each pair at 90° to the previous pair) or in decussate whorls of 3 or 4, depending on the genus. decussate whorls of 3 or 4, depending on the genus.

On young plants, the leaves are needle-like, becoming small On young plants, the leaves are needle-like, becoming small and scale-like on mature plants of many (but not all) genera; and scale-like on mature plants of many (but not all) genera; some genera and species retain needle-like leaves throughout some genera and species retain needle-like leaves throughout their life. their life.

Old leaves are mostly not shed individually, but in small Old leaves are mostly not shed individually, but in small sprays of foliage; exceptions are the leaves on shoots which sprays of foliage; exceptions are the leaves on shoots which develop into branches, which eventually fall off individually develop into branches, which eventually fall off individually when the bark starts to flake. when the bark starts to flake.

Most are evergreen with the leaves persisting 2-10 years, but Most are evergreen with the leaves persisting 2-10 years, but three genera (three genera (Glyptostrobus, Metasequoia, TaxodiumGlyptostrobus, Metasequoia, Taxodium) are ) are deciduous or include deciduous species.deciduous or include deciduous species.

CupressaceaeCupressaceae The seed cones are either woody, leathery, or (in The seed cones are either woody, leathery, or (in JuniperusJuniperus) berry-) berry-

like and fleshy, with one to several ovules per scale. The bract scale like and fleshy, with one to several ovules per scale. The bract scale and ovuliferous scale are fused together except at the apex, where and ovuliferous scale are fused together except at the apex, where the bract scale is often visible as a short spine (often called an the bract scale is often visible as a short spine (often called an umboumbo) ) on the ovuliferous scale. on the ovuliferous scale.

As with the foliage, the cone scales are arranged spirally, decussate As with the foliage, the cone scales are arranged spirally, decussate (opposite) or whorled, depending on the genus. (opposite) or whorled, depending on the genus.

The pollen cones are more uniform in structure across the family, 1-The pollen cones are more uniform in structure across the family, 1-20 mm long, with the scales again arranged spirally, decussate 20 mm long, with the scales again arranged spirally, decussate (opposite) or whorled, depending on the genus; they may be borne (opposite) or whorled, depending on the genus; they may be borne singly at the apex of a shoot (most genera), in the leaf axils singly at the apex of a shoot (most genera), in the leaf axils ((CryptomeriaCryptomeria), in dense clusters (), in dense clusters (CunninghamiaCunninghamia; ; Juniperus Juniperus drupaceadrupacea), or on discrete long pendulous panicle -like shoots ), or on discrete long pendulous panicle -like shoots ((MetasequoiaMetasequoia, , TaxodiumTaxodium).).

CupressaceaeCupressaceae

The seeds are mostly small and somewhat flattened, The seeds are mostly small and somewhat flattened, with two narrow wings, one down each side of the with two narrow wings, one down each side of the seed; rarely (e.g. seed; rarely (e.g. ActinostrobusActinostrobus) triangular in section ) triangular in section with three wings; in some genera (e.g. with three wings; in some genera (e.g. GlyptostrobusGlyptostrobus, , LibocedrusLibocedrus) one of the wings is significantly larger ) one of the wings is significantly larger than the other, and in some others (e.g. than the other, and in some others (e.g. JuniperusJuniperus, , MicrobiotaMicrobiota, , PlatycladusPlatycladus, , TaxodiumTaxodium) the seed is larger ) the seed is larger and wingless. and wingless.

The seedlings usually have two cotyledons, but in The seedlings usually have two cotyledons, but in some species up to six. some species up to six.

CupressaceaeCupressaceae

The family is notable for including the largest, tallest, The family is notable for including the largest, tallest, and stoutest individual trees in the world, and also the and stoutest individual trees in the world, and also the second longest lived species in the world:second longest lived species in the world:

LargestLargest – Giant Sequoia, 1486.9 m³ trunk volume – Giant Sequoia, 1486.9 m³ trunk volumeTallestTallest – Coast Redwood, 115.55 m tall – Coast Redwood, 115.55 m tallStoutestStoutest – Montezuma cypress or Ahuehuete, 11.42 – Montezuma cypress or Ahuehuete, 11.42 m diameterm diameterSecond oldestSecond oldest -Alerce, 3622 years (after Great Basin -Alerce, 3622 years (after Great Basin Bristlecone Pine.)Bristlecone Pine.)

CupressaceaeCupressaceae Many of the species are important timber sources, especially in the Many of the species are important timber sources, especially in the

genera genera Calocedrus, Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria, Cunninghamia, Calocedrus, Chamaecyparis, Cryptomeria, Cunninghamia, Cupressus, Sequoia, TaxodiumCupressus, Sequoia, Taxodium, and , and ThujaThuja. .

Junipers are among the most important evergreen shrubs, Junipers are among the most important evergreen shrubs, groundcovers and small evergreen trees, with hundreds of groundcovers and small evergreen trees, with hundreds of cultivars selected, including plants with blue, grey, or yellow cultivars selected, including plants with blue, grey, or yellow foliage. foliage.

ChamaecyparisChamaecyparis and and ThujaThuja also provide hundreds of dwarf also provide hundreds of dwarf cultivars as well as trees used in horticulture. cultivars as well as trees used in horticulture.

Dawn Redwood (Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboidesMetasequoia glyptostroboides) is widely planted ) is widely planted as an ornamental tree because of its excellent horticultural as an ornamental tree because of its excellent horticultural qualities, rapid growth and status as a living fossil. qualities, rapid growth and status as a living fossil.

Redwood and giant sequoia (Redwood and giant sequoia (Sequoia sppSequoia spp.) not only provide .) not only provide timber but are used ornamentally in benign climates for large timber but are used ornamentally in benign climates for large conifers.conifers.

Thuja plicata Thuja plicata Donn ex D. DonDonn ex D. DonFamily: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Colloquial Name: Western Red CedarColloquial Name: Western Red Cedar Grows in moist forest of northwestern Montana.Grows in moist forest of northwestern Montana.

Thuja plicata

CupressaceaeCupressaceae Sugi (Sugi (Cryptomeria japonicaCryptomeria japonica) is the national tree of Japan, and ) is the national tree of Japan, and

Aheuheute (Aheuheute (Taxodium mucronatumTaxodium mucronatum) the national tree of ) the national tree of Mexico. Mexico.

Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia were jointly designated the Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia were jointly designated the state tree of California and are famous California tourist state tree of California and are famous California tourist attractions. Redwood National and State Park and several attractions. Redwood National and State Park and several parks including Giant Sequoia National Monument protect parks including Giant Sequoia National Monument protect almost half the remaining stands of Coast Redwoods and almost half the remaining stands of Coast Redwoods and Giant Sequoias. Giant Sequoias.

Bald Cypress (Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichumTaxodium distichum) is the state tree of ) is the state tree of Louisiana. Bald Cypress, often festooned with Spanish moss, Louisiana. Bald Cypress, often festooned with Spanish moss, of Southern swamps are another tourist attraction. Bald of Southern swamps are another tourist attraction. Bald Cypress ‘Knees" are often sold as knick knacks, made into Cypress ‘Knees" are often sold as knick knacks, made into lamps or carved to make folk art. lamps or carved to make folk art.

Taxodium distichumTaxodium distichum Family: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Taxodium distichumTaxodium distichum Family: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Sequoia sempervirensSequoia sempervirensFamily: CupressaceaeFamily: Cupressaceae

Clark in the Coast Redwoods – northern California

PinaceaePinaceae The family The family PinaceaePinaceae ( (pine familypine family), is in the order Pinales and ), is in the order Pinales and

includes many of the well-known conifers of commercial includes many of the well-known conifers of commercial importance such as firs, hemlocks, larches, pines and spruces. importance such as firs, hemlocks, larches, pines and spruces.

It is the largest conifer, thus gymnosperm, family in species It is the largest conifer, thus gymnosperm, family in species diversity, with between 220-250 species (depending on diversity, with between 220-250 species (depending on taxonomic opinion) in 10 genera, and the second-largest (after taxonomic opinion) in 10 genera, and the second-largest (after Cupressaceae) in geographical range, found in most of the Cupressaceae) in geographical range, found in most of the Northern Hemisphere with the majority of the species in Northern Hemisphere with the majority of the species in temperate climates but ranging from subarctic to tropical. temperate climates but ranging from subarctic to tropical.

One species just crosses the equator in southeast Asia. Major One species just crosses the equator in southeast Asia. Major centers of diversity are found in the mountains of southwest centers of diversity are found in the mountains of southwest China, central Japan, Mexico, and California.China, central Japan, Mexico, and California.

PinaceaePinaceae They are trees (rarely shrubs) growing from 2 to 100 m tall, They are trees (rarely shrubs) growing from 2 to 100 m tall,

mostly evergreen (except mostly evergreen (except LarixLarix and and PseudolarixPseudolarix), resinous, ), resinous, monoecious, with subopposite or whorled branches, and monoecious, with subopposite or whorled branches, and spirally arranged, linear (needle-like) leaves. spirally arranged, linear (needle-like) leaves.

The female cones are large and usually woody, 2-60 cm long, The female cones are large and usually woody, 2-60 cm long, with numerous spirally-arranged scales, and two winged seeds with numerous spirally-arranged scales, and two winged seeds on each scale. on each scale.

The male cones are small, 0.5-6 cm long, and fall soon after The male cones are small, 0.5-6 cm long, and fall soon after pollination; pollen dispersal is by wind. pollination; pollen dispersal is by wind.

Seed dispersal is mostly by wind, but some species have large Seed dispersal is mostly by wind, but some species have large seeds with reduced wings, and are dispersed by birds. seeds with reduced wings, and are dispersed by birds.

The embryos are multi-cotyledonous, with 3-24 cotyledons..The embryos are multi-cotyledonous, with 3-24 cotyledons..

PinaceaePinaceae

The genera are divided into four subfamilies, based The genera are divided into four subfamilies, based on the cone, seed and leaf morphology:on the cone, seed and leaf morphology:

Subfamily PinoideaeSubfamily Pinoideae ( (PinusPinus) ) Cones biennial, rarely triennial, with each year's scale Cones biennial, rarely triennial, with each year's scale

growth distinct, forming an umbo on each scale. Cone growth distinct, forming an umbo on each scale. Cone scale base broad, concealing the seeds fully from scale base broad, concealing the seeds fully from abaxial view. Seed without resin vesicles. Seed wing abaxial view. Seed without resin vesicles. Seed wing holding the seed in a pair of claws. Leaves with holding the seed in a pair of claws. Leaves with primary stomatal bands adaxial (above the xylem) or primary stomatal bands adaxial (above the xylem) or equally on both surfaces. equally on both surfaces.

PinaceaePinaceae

Subfamily PiceoideaeSubfamily Piceoideae ( (PiceaPicea) ) Cones annual, without a distinct umbo. Cone Cones annual, without a distinct umbo. Cone

scale base broad, concealing the seeds fully scale base broad, concealing the seeds fully from abaxial view. Seed without resin vesicles, from abaxial view. Seed without resin vesicles, blackish. Seed wing holding the seed loosely blackish. Seed wing holding the seed loosely in a cup. Leaves with primary stomatal bands in a cup. Leaves with primary stomatal bands adaxial (above the xylem) or equally on both adaxial (above the xylem) or equally on both surfaces. surfaces.

PinaceaePinaceae

Subfamily LaricoideaeSubfamily Laricoideae ( (Larix, Cathaya, Larix, Cathaya, PseudotsugaPseudotsuga) )

Cones annual, without a distinct umbo. Cone Cones annual, without a distinct umbo. Cone scale base broad, concealing the seeds fully scale base broad, concealing the seeds fully from abaxial view. Seed without resin vesicles, from abaxial view. Seed without resin vesicles, whitish. Seed wing holding the seed tightly in whitish. Seed wing holding the seed tightly in a cup. Leaves with primary stomatal bands a cup. Leaves with primary stomatal bands abaxial (below the phloem vessels) only. abaxial (below the phloem vessels) only.

PinaceaePinaceae

Subfamily AbietoideaeSubfamily Abietoideae ( (Abies, Cedrus, Abies, Cedrus, Pseudolarix, Keteleeria, Nothotsuga, TsugaPseudolarix, Keteleeria, Nothotsuga, Tsuga) )

Cones annual, without a distinct umbo. Cone Cones annual, without a distinct umbo. Cone scale base narrow, with the seeds partly visible scale base narrow, with the seeds partly visible in abaxial view. Seed with resin vesicles. Seed in abaxial view. Seed with resin vesicles. Seed wing holding the seed tightly in a cup. Leaves wing holding the seed tightly in a cup. Leaves with primary stomatal bands abaxial (below with primary stomatal bands abaxial (below the phloem vessels) only. the phloem vessels) only.

PinaceaePinaceae

Major genera:Major genera: Pinus, Abies, Picea, Larix, Tsuga, and Pinus, Abies, Picea, Larix, Tsuga, and

PseudotsugaPseudotsuga

Genera in Montana:Genera in Montana: All of the above genera are native to Montana.All of the above genera are native to Montana.

Abies grandisAbies grandisGrand FirGrand Fir

Abies lasiocarpaAbies lasiocarpaSub-alpine FirSub-alpine Fir

Larix lyalliiLarix lyalliiSub-alpine LarchSub-alpine Larch

Larix occidentalisLarix occidentalisWestern TamarackWestern Tamarack

Picea glaucaPicea glaucaWhite SpruceWhite Spruce

Picea pungens Picea pungens varvar glauca glaucaColorado blue spruceColorado blue spruce

Picea EngelmanniiPicea EngelmanniiEngelmann SpruceEngelmann Spruce

Pinus albicaulisPinus albicaulisWhitebark PineWhitebark Pine

Pinus contortaPinus contortaLodgepole PineLodgepole Pine

Pinus flexilisPinus flexilisLimber PineLimber Pine

Pinus monticolaPinus monticola Western White PineWestern White Pine

Pinus ponderosaPinus ponderosaPonderosa pinePonderosa pine

Pinus ponderosaPinus ponderosa var var ponderosaponderosa Occurs in the moister part of western MontanaOccurs in the moister part of western Montana

Pinus ponderosaPinus ponderosa var var scopulorumscopulorum Occurs in the drier part of eastern MontanaOccurs in the drier part of eastern Montana

Pinus ponderosaPinus ponderosaPonderosa pinePonderosa pine

Pseudotsuga menziesiiPseudotsuga menziesiiDouglas-firDouglas-fir

Tsuga heterophyllaTsuga heterophyllaWestern HemlockWestern Hemlock

Tsuga mertensianaTsuga mertensianaMountain HemlockMountain Hemlock

TaxaceaeTaxaceae The family The family TaxaceaeTaxaceae, commonly called the , commonly called the yewyew family, includes family, includes

three genera and about 7 to 12 species of coniferous plants, or in three genera and about 7 to 12 species of coniferous plants, or in other interpretations, five genera and about 20 species.other interpretations, five genera and about 20 species.

They are much branched, small trees and shrubs. The leaves are They are much branched, small trees and shrubs. The leaves are evergreen, spirally arranged, often twisted at the base to appear 2-evergreen, spirally arranged, often twisted at the base to appear 2-ranked. They are linear to lanceolate, and have pale green or white ranked. They are linear to lanceolate, and have pale green or white stomatal bands on the undersides. stomatal bands on the undersides.

The plants are dioecious, rarely monoecious. The plants are dioecious, rarely monoecious. The male cones are 2-5 mm long, and shed pollen in the early The male cones are 2-5 mm long, and shed pollen in the early

spring. spring. The female cones are highly reduced, with just one ovuliferous The female cones are highly reduced, with just one ovuliferous

scale and one seed. As the seed matures, the ovuliferous scale scale and one seed. As the seed matures, the ovuliferous scale develops into a fleshy develops into a fleshy arilaril partly enclosing the seed. partly enclosing the seed.

The mature aril is brightly colored, soft, juicy and sweet, and is The mature aril is brightly colored, soft, juicy and sweet, and is eaten by birds, which then disperse the hard seed undamaged in eaten by birds, which then disperse the hard seed undamaged in their droppings.their droppings.

TaxaceaeTaxaceae

Major genera:Major genera: TaxusTaxus and and TorreyaTorreya

In Montana:In Montana: TaxusTaxus

TaxaceaeTaxaceae

Taxus brevifoliaTaxus brevifolia Nutt. Nutt.Western or PacificYewWestern or PacificYew