Seed coat fused with cone-scale complex, apex of fertile scale forming a 'ligule', bract usually with membranous wings. Leaves spirally placed, crowded and broadly attached, variable in form from broad to scales and needles, amphistomatic
Seed coat independent and extended into a wing, scale completely fused with bract which is thin but not wing-like. Leaves opposite decussate, dispersed, and narrowed to a basal petiole, broad and more or less oval, hypostomatic
