By far the most numerous and widespread of the gymnosperm divisions alive today Order Coniferales contains 50 genera with 550 species Family Lebachiaceae and order Cordaitales are extinct Form extensive forests in west North America, Europe, and Asia. Abundant in temperate South America, New Zeland, and Australia Four main morphological groups of leaves: needle, linear to lanceolate, reduced scale-like and close to the stem, and the most common flat and usually ovate leaves Tallest vascular plant is the redwood of coastal California and southestern Oregon

Conifers also have great commercial value Sources of timber, pulpwood, turpentine, and pitch Sources of Canada balsam, Venetian turpentine, and edible seeds Christmas tree industry consumes large numbers of pine trees each year, particularly Pinus, Abies, and Pseudotsuga Increasing trend to use exotic varities in landscaping - especially blue varities of Picea, dwarf Pinus, and Cedar

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