The
conifers, division
Pinophyta, also known as division
Coniferophyta or
Coniferae, are one of 12 extant
division-level
taxa within the
Kingdom Plantae (
Viridiplantae) and 10 within the extant
land plants. Pinophytes are
gymnosperms,
cone-bearing seed
plants with
vascular tissue. All
extant conifers are
woody plants with
secondary growth. The great majority are
trees, though a few are
shrubs. Examples include
cedars,
Douglas-firs,
cypresses,
firs,
junipers,
kauri,
larches,
pines,
hemlocks,
redwoods,
spruces, and
yews. As of 1998, the division was estimated to contain eight families, 68 genera, and 629 living species.