coniferous

American  

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

adjective

Botany.

1. belonging or pertaining to the conifers.

---

coniferous British  

/ kɒ-, kəˈnɪfərəs /

adjective

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

---

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

Although Weyerhaeuser’s hardwood forests in New England and West Virginia are logged selectively and naturally regenerate, its coniferous timberlands in the South and Pacific Northwest are clear-cut and replanted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

This pattern has been identified as one of the unexpected symptoms of climate change, and its impact on the chickadees is providing an early warning of the disruptions ahead within these coniferous forest ecosystems.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2023

The ancient pollen record shows coniferous forests and grasslands characterized the region, able to support foraging and hunting by humans.

From Science Daily • Sep. 22, 2023

Among all the cities, Seattle’s coniferous forests was the coolest type, by about 9 degrees on average.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 15, 2023

Cloud Pond was a couple of hundred acres of exquisitely peaceful water surrounded by dark coniferous forest, the treetops pointy black silhouettes against a pale blue evening sky.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson