One of the most common representatives of the plant kingdom is conifers. They grow almost all over the land, but mostly in the temperate climate zone. Coniferous plants are widely used by man and are very important for his life. In addition to being the main supplier of oxygen on Earth, needles are used in cosmetology and medicine, wood is used to make furniture and build houses, and decorative species are used in gardening and park art. All representatives of this class are very different from the rest, as they have a number of features.
Characteristics of conifers
About 600 species belong to this class. Some of them are widespread, while others are quite rare. These plants were named so because the leaves of almost all of them are modified into needles, called needles. And in botany they are classified as gymnosperms. All of them are characterized by the fact that the seeds develop in their cones. How else is the class of conifers different from the rest?
- These are the most ancient representatives of the plant kingdom. Their remains are found in layers belonging to the Carboniferous period. Moreover, they were then widespread even beyond the Arctic Circle.
- Almost all modern conifers are trees. And their structure is also different from all the others. They have one trunk with shoots extending from it in different directions.
- Many representatives of coniferous plants are centenarians. Now there is a North American pine, whose age is almost five thousand years, and the mammoth tree lives about 3000 years.
- In terms of size, coniferous plants also belong to the champions. The tallest tree in the world is the sequoia. Its height can reach more than 110 meters. The thickness of the trunk of conifers is also striking in its size: in the Mexican swamp cypress and mammoth tree, it reaches 12-16 meters.
- The features of all conifers also include the presence of resin in their wood. It is thick, has a strong smell and healing properties.
- All representatives of conifers are used by humans in one way or another and are one of the most needed plants on Earth.
Appearance
Mostly trees belong to this class, but there are also tree-like shrubs. Almost all conifers are evergreen, only a few less common species shed their leaves. It is quite easy to distinguish representatives of this class from the rest by the special structure of the leaves. Almost all of them are changed into needles - needle-shaped shoots or flat scales. They have a small surface and evaporate little water. This makes it possible for such plants not to shed their leaves in winter. In addition, the features of the geographical distribution of conifers explain other features of their leaves. They are arranged on the branches in a spiral and have a dark green color. This gives them the opportunity to capture diffused sunlight, because conifers grow mainly in northern and temperate latitudes. Almost all such plants have a dense tree trunk, but thin bark. They have a powerful taproot with lateral branches. This is necessary so that the plant can get water from great depths and stay in mountainous and sandy areas.
Distribution of conifers
They mainly grow in temperate climates. Sufficient soil moisture is necessary for their vital activity. Therefore, coniferous forests are common in northern and temperate latitudes. Some of their representatives are found even close to the border of permafrost. Their further advance to the north is hindered by the impossibility of extracting water in such conditions. In warm latitudes, they are found only in the mountains, where it is not very hot.
Basically, all conifers are concentrated near the Pacific Ocean, where conditions are most favorable for them. Most of them are distributed in the northern hemisphere, but they are also found in Australia, New Zealand and South America. We can say that in every corner of the globe there are coniferous plants.
Names of the most common genera
- Pine.
- Cedar.
- Fir.
- Larch.
- Sequoia.
- Cypress.
- Juniper.
Coniferous plants for the garden
Many gardeners use them in the design of the site. Even an ordinary spruce or pine brought from the forest can decorate the garden. But ornamental species grown in a nursery take root better. The richness and variety of shades and sizes of coniferous plants allows you to decorate any area. Even for a small flower bed there are dwarf species, and tall trees give the garden, especially over a large area, an unusual look and magnificence. The most common conifers for the garden are spruce and pine. They can be used as hedges and borders. Pine tolerates pruning well and can be given any shape. Medium-sized plants - thuja spherical, juniper and cypress - are also very in demand, as they look beautiful in any area. Flower beds can also be decorated with creeping varieties of juniper and other dwarf species.
Coniferous trees and shrubs are gymnosperms. The leaves of most coniferous plants are needle-shaped, narrow, perennial or falling for the winter (in larch), called needles, or scaly (in cypress).
"stamens", more precisely microsporophylls, are collected in male cones (spikelets). The "stamens" have from 2 to 20 microsporangia, from which "pollen" is ejected when ripe, or rather microspores, which in most species are equipped with two air sacs. The female cones are composed of megastrobils bearing ovules, or megasporangia. The ovules are not covered by anything and are more often located in pairs at the base of the seed scales (in pine, spruce) or singly at the ends of the shoots (in yew). The ovules are pollinated by the wind. Fertilization of the egg occurs a long time after pollination - from several months (in larch, spruce, fir) to a year (in pine, cedar).
Ripe seeds sit openly at the base of the seed scale (pine family) or singly at the ends of the shoots and are surrounded by a fleshy seedling (yew family). Hence the name - gymnosperms.
Cones consist of an axis and seed and covering scales. The latter are usually invisible and only in fir and some species of larch protrude from under the edge of the seed scales in the form of tongues. Coniferous seeds are equipped with transparent wings (pine, spruce, fir, larch) or without them (cedar, yew). Most of our conifers are monoecious plants, less often - dioecious (yew).
Grape
In gardens and home gardens, you can choose a warmer place for planting grapes, for example, on the sunny side of the house, garden pavilion, veranda. It is recommended to plant grapes along the border of the site. The vines formed in one line will not take up much space and at the same time will be well lit from all sides. Near buildings, grapes should be placed so that water flowing from the roofs does not fall on it. On level ground, it is necessary to make ridges with good drainage due to drainage furrows. Some gardeners, following the experience of their colleagues in the western regions of the country, dig deep planting holes and fill them with organic fertilizers and fertilized soil. Pits dug in waterproof clay are a kind of closed vessel that fills with water during the monsoon rains. In fertile land, the root system of grapes develops well at first, but as soon as waterlogging begins, it suffocates. Deep pits can play a positive role in soils where good natural drainage is provided, the subsoil is permeable, or reclamation artificial drainage is possible. planting grapes
You can quickly restore an obsolete grape bush by layering (“katavlak”). To this end, healthy vines of a neighboring bush are placed in grooves dug to the place where the dead bush used to grow, and sprinkled with earth. The top is brought to the surface, from which a new bush then grows. Lignified vines are laid on layering in spring, and green ones in July. They are not separated from the mother bush for two to three years. A frozen or very old bush can be restored by short pruning to healthy above-ground parts or pruning to the “black head” of an underground trunk. In the latter case, the underground trunk is freed from the ground and completely cut down. Not far from the surface, new shoots grow from dormant buds, due to which a new bush is formed. Grape bushes that have been neglected and severely damaged by frost are restored due to stronger fatty shoots formed in the lower part of the old wood and the removal of weakened sleeves. But before removing the sleeve, they form a replacement for it. Grape care
A gardener starting to grow grapes needs to study well the structure of the vine and the biology of this most interesting plant. Grapes belong to liana (climbing) plants, it needs support. But it can creep along the ground and take root, as is observed in Amur grapes in a wild state. The roots and the aerial part of the stem grow rapidly, branch strongly and reach large sizes. Under natural conditions, without human intervention, a branched grape bush grows with many vines of various orders, which comes into fruiting late and yields irregularly. In culture, the grapes are formed, give the bushes a form that is convenient for care, providing a high yield of high-quality clusters. Vine
Lemongrass
In the literature on climbing vines, the methods of preparing planting pits and the planting itself are unnecessarily complicated. It is proposed to dig trenches and pits up to 80 cm deep, lay drainage from broken bricks, shards, install a pipe to the drainage for food, cover it with special earth, etc. When planting several bushes in collective gardens, such preparation is still possible; but the recommended depth of the pit is not suitable for the Far East, where the thickness of the root layer at best reaches 30 cm and it is underlain most often by impervious subsoil. Whatever drainage is laid, but a deep hole will inevitably turn out to be a closed vessel, where water will accumulate during the monsoon rains, and this will entail damping and rotting of the roots from lack of air. Yes, and the roots of actinidia and lemongrass vines, as already noted, are distributed in the taiga in the surface layer of the soil. Planting lemongrass
Chinese lemongrass, or schizandra, has several names - lemon tree, red grape, gomisha (Japanese), cochinta, kojianta (Nanai), kolchita (Ulchi), usimtya (Udege), uchampu (Oroch). In terms of structure, systemic relationship, center of origin and distribution, Schisandra chinensis has nothing to do with the real citrus plant lemon, but all its organs (roots, shoots, leaves, flowers, berries) exude the aroma of lemon, hence the name Schisandra. Lemongrass clinging or wrapping around a support, along with Amur grapes, three types of actinidia, is an original plant of the Far Eastern taiga. Its fruits, like real lemons, are too acidic for fresh consumption, but they have medicinal properties, a pleasant aroma, and this attracted a lot of attention to him. The taste of Schisandra chinensis berries improves somewhat after frost. Local hunters who consume such fruits claim that they relieve fatigue, invigorate the body and improve eyesight. In the consolidated Chinese pharmacopoeia, compiled back in 1596, it says: "Chinese lemongrass fruit has five tastes, classified in the first category of medicinal substances. The pulp of lemongrass is sour and sweet, the seeds are bitter-astringent, and in general the taste of the fruit is salty. Thus, It contains all five tastes. Grow lemongrass
On a nice summer day! Majestic coniferous trees with widely spread branches, creating a cozy shade, will not leave indifferent any lover of forest walks.
Coniferous plants are not only companions of a pleasant forest walk, but also full members of the plant community. Often, passing by, people do not even think about how many interesting things you can learn about this class of trees.
It's no secret that a person learns a significant part of the information about the world around him while sitting at a school desk. And how is the educational process being built now when children study the class of coniferous plants?
What are conifers? How are they classified by modern science? How does the acquaintance of children mastering the basic general educational program of primary general education with the class of conifers occur? The answers to these questions, many other interesting facts, as well as beautiful photographs await the reader in the article.
What plants are called conifers?
Most people of all ages, religions, nationalities and political persuasions know that trees are divided into coniferous and deciduous. With deciduous trees, everything is clear. They have leaves that form foliage. Branches with foliage, in turn, form the crown of trees. Particularly sophisticated people even know that the leaves of trees and plants are involved in the process of photosynthesis, providing the planet Earth with oxygen and processing carbon dioxide.
But what about coniferous plants? Why are they called that? Can they, like their leafy counterparts, participate in the production of oxygen? Let's figure it out.
The name of the class "coniferous" comes from the word called the modified leaves of plants, which have an elongated narrow shape and a pointed end. With unsuccessful interaction with the needles of trees, you can even pierce your hand or seriously damage your eyes.
Conifers are vascular plants. This means that the transfer of nutrients and moisture within the tree occurs through a system of vessels.
The next sign is woody. It should be understood as the presence of wood on a tree trunk. All are perennial.
The hallmark of conifers is that they are evergreen. Yes, some of them shed their leaves (for example, larch) once a year. Some plants, at the same time, change their "wardrobe" once every fifty years.
Another unique sign of conifers is the presence of a cone in which seeds ripen. The cone is the one that plays a key role in the reproduction of these plants. Scientists have proven that some representatives of the Coniferous department can store seeds in their cones for decades.
Most representatives of conifers have a straight trunk and branches extending from it in different directions. A characteristic feature of many plants of this class are whorls - peculiar rings formed by branches extending from the main tree trunk. Counting the number of whorls on a tree trunk is one way to determine the age of a tree. Each ring of whorls corresponds to one year that has passed in the life of the tree. The straight trunk in the vast majority of cases ends with a pronounced crown.
An interesting feature of gymnosperms of the Coniferous class is that many of them begin to dry out from the crown. This is explained by the peculiar supply of nutrients along the trunk of trees. Such problems with conifers can occur due to poor ecology. Another common cause is damage to the root system of the tree or its bark.
Coniferous roots
Also peculiar. Most often, most of them retain the main root throughout their lives. Smaller roots extend from it, running almost along the surface of the earth. Such a device of the root system is an advantage and a disadvantage of such trees. On the one hand, in this way the plant can collect more nutrients due to the larger area of soil covered by the root system. On the other hand, such a root arrangement makes Conifers extremely vulnerable to forest fires. It is not uncommon for entire hectares of forest to stand dead because the fire that destroyed the small undergrowth also destroyed the roots of the trees.
What is the needles like?
The length of the needles may vary depending on the species of a particular tree. Some specimens have giant needles, the length of which can reach up to thirty centimeters (for example, Engelman's pine). The smallest needles can reach a length of only three to six millimeters.
The needles of trees of the Coniferous class also differ in their hardness. Some species, such as larch, have soft and delicate needles, which are simply impossible to damage. Spruces, on the contrary, have hard needles that, under an unfortunate set of circumstances, can even pierce clothing and human skin.
The needles of individual tree species are abundantly covered with special wax. This was done by prudent nature in order to protect the plant from excessive ultraviolet rays, which are detrimental to it.
Young and mature needles also differ from each other. Young leaf-like organs of coniferous trees are softer than older ones. Old needles become rough to the touch. This is due to the fact that the special pores of the needles, which are responsible for the "breathing" of the plant, gradually become larger and begin to be felt to the touch.
Useful substances contained in the needles
The needles of most plants of the Coniferous class are sour in taste (especially spruce), tart. This is due to the presence of a significant amount of amino acids there. When chewing the needles, a slurry is formed that does not disintegrate in the mouth. Constant use of needles for food is not recommended, although it is not poisonous.
On the contrary, needles are often used for medicinal purposes. This is done because of the richest set of substances contained in it. There are many vitamins in the needles of trees (vitamin C, vitamin P, vitamin K, as well as iron, cobalt and manganese).
Pine needles are one of the most sought after sources of carotene (the substance that is found in large quantities in carrots). Its content reaches from one hundred and fifty to three hundred milligrams per kilogram of needles.
How long ago did conifers appear on Earth?
Coniferous plants are very ancient. Perhaps even the oldest of the higher plants on planet Earth.
Exhibits taken from the ground by archaeologists and paleobotanists are subjected to radiocarbon analysis to determine the most accurate age of the fossil. As a result of such procedures, it was established that individual representatives of the Coniferous class existed on our planet already three hundred million years ago. Think about these figures - three hundred million years ago! In this ancient time, there was not even a hint of a human in nature, and huge dinosaurs inhabited the planet.
The discovery of scientists is of interest. According to the studies of the scientific community studying the history of this class of plants, a characteristic feature of the ancient conifers was that among them there were many shrubs and even herbaceous plants. Now, unfortunately, most of them have died out, giving way to modern representatives of the Coniferous class.
To date, the vast majority of conifers are trees covered with strong bark and not having grassy fibers.
The place of conifers in the systematics of plants
Each class of plants is systematized by scientists into a single system. Plants that have needles instead of foliage were no exception.
Conifers is quite simple and straightforward. If we give a simple classification of conifers, then it will look like this: eukaryotes, plants, conifers.
Domain Eukaryotes combine organisms that have a cellular structure. In addition to plants, accounting also includes animals, fungi, protists and chromists.
The next level of classification is the kingdom. Conifers belong to the plant kingdom, as they meet all the inherent characteristics. This is the presence of a dense cellulose membrane of the cell, and growth throughout life, and the process of photosynthesis, and maintaining an attached lifestyle (they do not move independently).
The kingdoms are subdivided into departments. The department that interests us - Gymnosperms of the Coniferous class - is included here. He got his name because the plants included in this department do not have a seed coat.
Departments are divided into classes. The department of gymnosperms includes the classes Ginkgo (the only representative is Ginkgo biloba), Cycads, Gnetovye and finally Coniferous. There were two more classes of gymnosperms - Bennettite and seed ferns, but today they are recognized as extinct.
How are conifers classified?
The Coniferous class, in turn, is also subdivided into several smaller classification steps. Let's consider the main ones.
A class in botany is conventionally divided into subclasses. The plant class Conifers is divided into the subclass Cordaite (now extinct) and the subclass Coniferous. Yes, it's not a typo. The class and subclass names are the same.
The subclass of conifers includes 6 (according to other classifications 7) plant families. All of them form one order - Coniferous (Pine). These include Pine, Araucaria, Cypress, Taxodie, Podocarp and Yew plants.
Each family is divided into genera, in which specific species are already distinguished. For example, we classify a plant, starting with a class. For example, common pine. Class - Conifers. Subclass - Conifers. Order - Coniferous (Pine). Family - Pine. Genus - Pine. View - Scotch pine. Any coniferous plant lends itself to a similar classification.
Variety of species
In total, in the classification of plants, there are from six hundred to six hundred and fifty species of the coniferous class. Their characteristics are largely similar, but they also have differences. Let's get to know coniferous trees, often found in Russia, closer!
One of the most common plants in Russian latitudes is spruce. This genus of plants is characterized by a high trunk and a lush cone-shaped beautiful crown. A special property of this tree is the ability to live almost forever - spruce is able to put out living roots from a dead tree. There are more than thirty species of this gorgeous plant on the globe.
Pine is also very common in our country. Researchers have recorded more than a hundred species of pines, the vast majority of which grow in the northern hemisphere of the Earth. A characteristic feature of pine is its high resin content. If you approach and hug a tree, then with a high degree of probability the clothes will have to be cleaned.
The next representative of conifers found on the territory of Russia is larch. This tree exceeds forty meters in height, and lives up to four hundred years. A feature of larch is the shedding of needles for the winter. The needles of the tree are soft, very pleasant to the touch.
Types of conifers based on size and growth rate
In the scientific community, as one of the classification systems for conifers, classification is distinguished by the size of the annual growth of the tree. There are five types. The most "fast" plants add fifteen to twenty centimeters a year. The "slowest" - three to five centimeters.
World record holders
An interesting fact: conifers are "world champions in all categories."
In the nomination "The oldest tree" on the first step of the podium is Old Tikko - a pine tree in the mountains of Sweden. According to the most conservative estimates of biologists, the age of the tree is more than nine and a half thousand years. The secret of Tikko's longevity is that he managed to put down living roots from a tree that burned down in a fire. These roots serve the owner until now. By the way, the second and third places are also occupied by representatives of the coniferous class. These trees are more than five thousand years old, and they grew when there were no presidents, no kings, no Roman and Greek emperors, and most of the Egyptian pharaohs.
The Hyperion sequoia is considered the tallest tree in the world. A powerful tree with a straight trunk rises one hundred and fifteen meters above the American forests. The height of the giant is comparable to a house of forty floors.
The most massive tree is also a conifer. "General Sherman" - a sequoiadendron from California National Park - weighs about two million kilograms in total. According to the calculations of practical Americans, up to forty houses with five rooms in each of them can be built from its wood. The second largest tree in the world is "General Grant". This sequoiadendron has been declared a US national shrine and a monument to fallen soldiers.
The place of conifers in the educational program of elementary school
With the entry into force of the federal state educational standard for primary general education, the school curriculum was also revised. The subject in which children get acquainted with wildlife is called "The World Around". To study it, the kids are allocated two hours a week.
As part of the study of the subject "The world around us", the guys get acquainted with coniferous trees. At the end of mastering the program of primary general education, teachers often resort to such a form of knowledge testing as the dictation "Coniferous Forest". In grade 4, children know the types of trees and are able to talk about them. Also an important evaluation criterion is the determination of the type of plant.
How is this topic studied at the beginning of training?
Coniferous trees in grade 1 begin to be studied by first graders from the simplest. The teacher usually asks the children about their personal experiences. Were there children in the forest? What did they see there?
At the same time, it is very important to motivate the child to study, to create an educational situation. In order to achieve the cherished goal, primary school teachers often resort to various tricks: either they put a letter on the table from the Old Man-Lesovichok with an invitation to visit the Magic Forest, or they will be transported along with the class to unknown paths in Baba Yaga's mortar. The main thing is that the child has interested eyes.
The study of conifers by second graders
On the subject "The world around us" Grade 2 studies coniferous plants in more detail. The children begin to get acquainted with the most common families, learn to distinguish their characteristic features from photographs. As part of the study of the coniferous forest in the 2nd grade, the teacher is also tasked with instilling in children a careful and caring attitude towards nature.
To create educational situations, the technique of guessing riddles is often used, which is very effective in elementary school. About coniferous plants in the 2nd grade, children can make many different interesting riddles. For example, "For the New Year, everyone is happy with her, although her outfit is prickly" (the answer is spruce). This method achieves two results at once: the child's attention is concentrated and an educational situation arises.
Especially popular in elementary school is the system, the author of which is Zankov. Coniferous and flowering plants Grade 2 studies using interactive techniques. The class teacher often asks children to prepare reports on given topics. After preparing the report, it is imperative to speak with it in front of the class in order to convey information to other children. An important point is to teach children to listen to others, to be able to formulate and ask a good and interesting question, to maintain a discussion. This approach instills in students the ability to speak to an audience, communication skills. Children learn to argue and defend their position, to profitably present the results of their work.
Coniferous and flowering plants for grade 2 are an excellent occasion to distribute reports on various types of such plants among children. By this principle, you can build the entire lesson, and it will be highly effective.
Zankov Leonid Vladimirovich is a Russian psychologist who proposed a unique training system in the mid-nineties. The hallmark of the system is its humanitarian nature and the personal development of children. Work on such a system requires high skill and professionalism from the teacher.
What do children learn about conifers in the third year of study?
In grade 3, conifers also continue to be studied. Children get to know them in more detail, affect the representatives of conifers in their region, study the characteristics and characteristics of some species. The teacher begins to build with the students the simplest food chains in which conifers are involved.
As a current control of students' knowledge, teachers often conduct simple tests for grade 3 on coniferous trees. This method allows you to quickly assess the mastery of the material covered by the class, identify children who have poorly learned the information, and pay additional attention to working with them.
At the end of elementary school
In the 4th grade, which completes the mastering of the basic educational program of primary general education by children, more complex methods of working with children are used. One of these methods can be called project activity. The essence lies in the distribution (or choice at will) among students or groups of students of topics for developing a project. This approach allows not only to develop the individual qualities of children, but also to teach them to work in a team, which is very important. After the preparation of the project, as well as with the reports, they are defended.
Conclusion
Now the reader has discovered new facts about gymnosperms of the Coniferous class, which will help him take a fresh look at conifers when he meets them, classify them according to the generally accepted system. It is important to take care of these plants, because, being evergreen, they produce oxygen all year round and absorb carbon dioxide. Thanks to conifers, the air on our planet becomes cleaner.
Detailed solution Paragraph § 22 on biology for students of grade 5, authors V.V. Pasechnik 2016
Question 1. What is a dispute?
Spores, microscopic rudiments of lower and higher plants of different origin and serving for their reproduction and (or) preservation under unfavorable conditions.
Question 2. What role do spores play in plant life?
The spores are used for plant reproduction and (or) conservation under adverse conditions.
Question 3. What plants are classified as lower? How are they different from the higher ones? What plants produce seeds?
The lower plants include a variety of algae. A distinctive feature of algae from higher plants is the lack of differentiation into tissues and organs (leaves, stem and root). The body of algae consists of a single cell or multicellular. Seeds are formed in higher plants (gymnosperms, angiosperms).
Laboratory work No. 13. The structure of needles and cones of conifers.
1. Consider the shape of the needles, its location on the stem. Measure the length and pay attention to the coloration (see table below).
2. Using the description of the signs of coniferous trees below, determine which tree the branch you are considering belongs to.
The needles are long (up to 5-7 cm), sharp, convex on one side and rounded on the other, sitting two together ... Scotch pine.
The needles are short, hard, sharp, tetrahedral, sitting alone, covering the entire branch ... Spruce.
The needles are flat, soft, blunt, have two white stripes on one side ... Fir.
The needles are light green, soft, sit in bunches, like tassels, fall in the winter ... Larch.
1. Consider the shape, size, color of the cones. Fill the table.
Table 2. Some parameters of needles and cones of gymnosperms.
2. Separate one scale. Familiarize yourself with the location and external structure of the seeds. Why is the studied plant called gymnosperms?
Spruce cones consist of an axis on which numerous covering scales are located, and in their axils - seed scales, on the upper surface of which 2 ovules usually develop, equipped with a so-called false wing.
The seed scales of the pine at the end are thickened into a shield. The seeds are winged, placed in the seed scales by two.
The seed flakes of larch are ovoid or rounded and do not fit snugly. Covering scales in a mature cone are invisible. Winged seed.
At the upstanding cones, covering and seed scales sit on the stem, the latter bear two seeds with a wing.
Conclusion: All gymnosperms are trees or shrubs. The leaves of gymnosperms are modified into needles, which helps to reduce the evaporation of moisture. They have a well-developed stem and root system, formed by the main and lateral roots. Fertilization occurs without the participation of water. Propagated by seeds, which are formed from ovules. In gymnosperms, for the first time in the process of evolution, a seed appeared, supplied with reserve nutrients and covered with a peel. Their seeds are located on the seed scales openly (naked).
Gymnosperms have a stem, root and leaves, there are real tissues (including conductive and mechanical). They form seeds by which they reproduce and spread. The presence of seeds gives these plants a huge advantage over spore ferns. Seeds are naked on scales, not covered. The leaves are modified into needles. Gymnosperms are mainly trees and shrubs, their reproduction is torn off from water, pollen is carried by the wind.
Pine, spruce, fir, larch, juniper, cedar, cypress, thuja, etc.
Question 4. Compare the external structure of pine and spruce. Under what conditions do pines and spruces grow?
Branches on pine trees remain only near the tops, the lower branches die off, but are spruce branches covered with needles? Pines are tall, spruces do not reach such sizes. The crown of spruce is pyramidal in shape, while that of pine is pyramidal in youth, and umbrella-shaped in old age.
Pines are unpretentious. They can be found on the sands, in the swamps, in the chalk mountains and even on bare rocks, in the cracks of which they take root. In pines growing on dense soils, the main root is well developed and goes deep. In pines growing on sandy soils, in addition to the main root, lateral roots develop near the soil surface. They diverge far away from the tree trunk. On swampy soils in pines, the main root develops poorly.
Twilight reigns in spruce forests, dense crowns of trees close together here. There is no undergrowth under the trees and very little grass. Only green mosses or a solid litter of fallen needles cover the soil.
Spruce grows well only on nutrient-rich, well-moistened soil. The main root of spruce is poorly developed. Lateral roots are located in the surface layers of the soil, so the wind sometimes knocks down spruce trees, pulling them out with their roots.
Question 5. Why do the lower branches of the pine die off in the forest, while those of the spruce are covered with needles?
Branches die off due to the fact that they do not have enough sunlight. The pine is photophilous, the light does not fall on the lower branches, so they die off. Spruce is shade-tolerant (even in the shade, with a lack of light, the process of photosynthesis takes place), so the lower branches with needles are preserved.
Coniferous plants emit special volatile substances - phytoncides (from the Greek words "phyton" - a plant and "cido" - I kill), which inhibit the development of many harmful bacteria not only in the forest, but also in its environs. In the taiga of our country, larch forests occupy the largest area, followed by pine and spruce forests. Larch wood is particularly strong and durable, it is resistant to decay.
Pine and spruce wood is used as a valuable building and ornamental material. With the help of chemical processing, artificial fibers similar to silk threads are obtained from pine wood. Paper is made from spruce wood. The wood of gymnosperms is a valuable raw material for many industries.
Siberian pine is called cedar in Siberia, although real cedars grow only in the mountains of North Africa, in the east of the Mediterranean and in the Himalayas. Good edible cedar oil is obtained from Siberian pine seeds.
Think
Why are many sanatoriums and rest homes located in pine forests, while coniferous plants are planted on the territory of medical institutions?
Coniferous plants emit special volatile substances - phytoncides (from the Greek words "phyton" - a plant and "cido" - I kill), which inhibit the development of many harmful bacteria not only in the forest, but also in its environs.
Quests for the curious
1. Establish in what months of the year pine and spruce seeds ripen and disperse in your area.
Seeds ripen in September of the year following pollination and remain in cones all winter. Mass departure (scattering) of seeds from cones occurs in March-April, when the daily air temperature rises to +100C. In the relatively dry climate of the Cis-Baikal region, almost all seeds fall out of the cones by the beginning of pine flowering. In Siberian spruce, the seeds ripen in September, and at the end of September they open and in October the cones hanging on the trees become empty.
2. In May-June, observe the development of young shoots of pine or spruce from the buds. Pay attention to the location of the cones on the shoots. Collect pine and spruce seeds. Plant them in your school yard. Take care of your seedlings. Use grown plants for landscaping.
Spruce cones are located at the ends of the branches. Pine cones are located in the upper part of the tree, not reaching the end of the branch.
Tasks
Siberian pine seeds, popularly called "pine nuts", contain a nutritious and tasty oil. It is used for food, like the "pine nuts" themselves.
Ephedra is a large branched shrub. About 10 species are found in our country. It grows in dry steppes, on rocky slopes of mountains at an altitude of up to 1500 meters. It is widely used in pharmacology to obtain the alkaloid ephedrine. In another way, they are also called conifers, and they are all found in the south of our country. I must say that this plant has been used in medicine for a long time and an alkaloid called ephedrine and alkaloid pseudoephedrine are obtained from it. Both of these alkaloids are able to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi. This is very important in bronchial asthma, in a situation where a spasm of this muscle occurs. Ephedra preparations have the ability to constrict blood vessels, and this leads to an increase in blood pressure, which is also sometimes very important. And, most importantly, ephedrine has an exciting effect on the central nervous system. Accordingly, it helps to combat drowsiness and restore the overall tone of the body.
The remarkable Russian phenologist D. Zuev called the juniper the cypress of the North. Like all gymnosperms, juniper fruits are cones, but outwardly they are very reminiscent of berries, which is why they are called “cone berries”, or juniper berries. They ripen in the 2-3rd year, and in spring they are green, and by autumn they become maroon or blue-black, with a bluish wax coating. The fruits are readily eaten by birds and animals, which distribute the seeds of the plant.
Fruit preparations improve urination and disinfect the urinary tract, increase the secretion of gastric juice and bile, stimulate intestinal motility, and act as an expectorant. Sometimes they are used to combat various inflammations and as a pain reliever. The use of juniper preparations is especially useful for edema caused by renal failure and circulatory disorders, cystitis, urolithiasis, and cholelithiasis. Fruit infusions help with respiratory diseases - laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis. A decoction of dried fruits is used to treat rheumatism, various arthritis and gout. Usually, decoction baths are taken for this purpose. The effect can be enhanced if, after the bath, you also rub the sore spots with an alcohol tincture of the fruit. Pine berries are part of many diuretic medicinal teas. Juniper preparations should not be used in acute inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and pregnancy.
Norway spruce has a lot of useful properties, so even official medicine recognizes it.
Currently, there are several pharmaceutical preparations that are used to cure various diseases. A typical example is the drug "Pana-Bin", which is a mixture of essential oils of spruce needles and peach oil, mixed in a 1: 1 ratio. This preparation is used to treat urolithiasis, because the substances that make up the needles affect the smooth muscles of the ureters.
The medicinal qualities of common spruce are widely used in various traditional medicine recipes. For the treatment of various diseases, specialists in the field of homeopathy use different raw materials from spruce.
Phytoncides, which are part of different parts of spruce, determine its therapeutic effect on the human respiratory system. Many problems associated with the area of specialization of the ENT doctor can be solved through the use of infusions and decoctions on spruce.
With the help of inhalations with a decoction of spruce cones, respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma are treated. Also, a decoction can be used to gargle with sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis. In case of diseases of the nasal passages - sinusitis, rhinitis, sinusitis - washing them with salted infusion on spruce cones is useful.
In addition to spruce cones, spruce resin is used to treat the internal respiratory tract - bronchi. For the treatment of various diseases of the human musculoskeletal system, spruce needles are used. The composition of this plant element includes vitamins, tannins and essential oils. Together, they have an analgesic, diaphoretic and antimicrobial effect on a person. These mechanisms underlie the use of spruce as a medicinal raw material in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica. Also, for the treatment of pain in the joints, especially at the stage of the process, when the shape of the joint is transformed, resin helps, otherwise - spruce resin.
For the treatment of chronic fatigue, stress, anxiety and even neurosis, it is useful to use lying, sitting and foot baths. For insomnia, spruce needles are used, placed in a woven bag, which is placed close to the pillow. For baths, water extracts and decoctions of spruce needles are used.
For the treatment of various wounds, suppurations, boils, abrasions or ulcers, treatment with spruce resin is widespread among the people. Numerous biologically active substances contained in this product cause bacteriostatic, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects on external lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. In addition, the use of resin as an ointment relieves the pain that accompanies various external injuries, including pain from a burn.
Norway spruce is popularly known as a source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Treatment for scurvy. In addition, spruce needles, buds, shoots and other parts of the tree are used to treat other vitamin deficiencies. The fact is that the composition of this plant also includes vitamin A (carotene), E (tocopherol), as well as some representatives of the B vitamin family.
Rust of coniferous plants in the photo
Rust more often affects Siberian, Korean, black pine and Cossack juniper. On needles and branches, this disease of coniferous plants manifests itself in the form of spindle-shaped swellings with yellowish mucous secretions of the fungus - the causative agent of the disease.
For the treatment of coniferous trees from this disease and other ailments from chemical agents, copper-containing preparations are effective (Bordeaux mixture and its substitutes "Abiga-Peak", "Oksihom", "Khom", "Ordan"), at air temperatures above +22 ... +24°C, sulfur preparations can also be used.
Good to know:
The source of columnar rust spores that affects currants, so the proximity of these plants in the garden is undesirable.
Affected by rust, the garden plot is a constant source of infection for the pear, as it is an intermediate host for this pathogen.
Fusarium defeat 
Fusarium defeat
Affected by cytosporosis 
Affected by phomosis
affected by fusarium, cytosporosis, phomosis. The causative agents of these diseases of conifers are pathogenic fungi. They cause spotting of shoots, bark, drying out and abscission of needles.
Using the methods of combating coniferous diseases, plants are treated starting from spring at intervals of two weeks, until the signs of the disease completely disappear with the same preparations as against rust.
At the end of winter, the phenomenon of bronze can be observed on the needles. This is an adaptive reaction of the body associated with a change in the composition and intensity of light. Anthocyanins are formed in the needles - substances of a red-violet color that protect the needles from excess ultraviolet rays.
As can be seen in the photo, with this disease:
Coniferous needles of trees acquire a bronze color 
Coniferous needles of trees acquire a bronze color
A protective reaction of this type always occurs under extreme conditions, regardless of the time of year, when the temperature drops in summer, during drought, and is not considered pathological.
It should be borne in mind that various diseases (rust, fungal spots) are mainly affected by old and weakened by poor care coniferous trees and shrubs.
See photos of diseases of coniferous plants that cause great harm to crops:
Diseases of coniferous plants 
Diseases of coniferous plants
Diseases of coniferous plants 
Diseases of coniferous plants
Protection of coniferous plants from burns
Spring burn of conifers 
Spring burn of conifers
spring burn is a non-infectious disease of coniferous trees. Clear sunny weather after cold weather leads to browning of the needles, and sometimes the death of young plants, especially against the background of the still remaining snow cover.
The sun and the drying wind contribute to the loss of moisture in the needles, while the roots that are still in the cold soil and have not awakened are not able to compensate for this loss.
In the spring, newly planted plants must be sprayed with water, for the winter they should be protected from frost and drying east winds with non-woven white material such as Agril or Agrotex.
Sometimes there is such a phenomenon: trees planted in autumn, which look fresh and healthy all winter, suddenly die in spring. It is not the planting time that is to blame here, but the involuntary injury of the roots during transplantation. The root system, which has a lot of suction roots, is disturbed by careless digging. The regenerative capacity of the suction roots is very low.
In winter, at sub-zero temperatures and high humidity, the needles almost do not evaporate moisture, while maintaining a fresh look. But with the onset of warm days, this process is activated. The roots in the cold ground are not yet working and regenerating themselves. It is under such conditions that the phenomenon of “physiological drought” occurs - there is water, but the plant dies from the inability to use it. Therefore, when transplanting, the plant must necessarily be with a clod of earth.
Early spring is the most dangerous time for conifers. The sun shines with great intensity, the daylight hours are lengthening. During the winter, the needles, weaned from the sun, begin to actively accumulate sugar. Chlorophyll, not having time to process solar energy, releases it in the form of oxygen - a very strong oxidizing agent. Tissue oxidation causes burns. A sharp change in the weather is especially destructive when the sun peeps through after cloudy days. Such a transition contributes to the "burnout" of the needles and cracks in the bark. Even severe frosts are not as terrible for needles as these weather transitions.
Gloomy weather in winter helps to endure severe frosts. After all, at rest, when there is no intense light and heat, all processes are slow. True, varieties are known that maintain deep peace even with intense sun. This is a virgin juniper form "Skyrocket"; Cossack - form "Blualps". They have a bluish tint to the needles and wax protection from the sun's rays.
To protect the tree from winter burns as much as possible, you need to choose a place so that direct sunlight falls only in the morning and evening hours. If this is not possible, protection in the form of awnings, synthetic non-woven materials, etc. should be provided. All these materials should create a sliding diffused light. This is an essential moment in juniper culture.
Junipers need protection in the winter and from a clean snowy surface that reflects the sun's rays. They are able to burn the needles, it is aggravated by low air temperatures. One method of dealing with this disease of coniferous plants is to spread peat, humus and ordinary earth under the trees to reduce the reflection of light.
Solar burning glare can also give white, shiny surfaces, metal roofs, walls of houses.