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

Neither the Amazon nor the Congo, it is the 1.5 billion acre band of coniferous forest running from Newfoundland to Alaska.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

One example of this is found in mixed forests, which contain coniferous evergreen tree species whose ancestors lived over 300 million years ago.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

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

How many people who travel to see California’s coniferous giants know why they’re still standing?

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2023

Japanese forest composition varies with latitude and altitude: evergreen leafy forest in the south at low altitude, deciduous leafy forest in central Japan, and coniferous forest in the north and at high altitude.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond