Perfect Pinecones

The other day on our way home from our lectures, we came across this pinecone. Or rather, it came across us, when it suddenly fell on Issy's head! Luckily she escaped unharmed.

Anyways, I thought I'd explore some of the fantastic features of pinecones.....

• Pinecones are organs: they bear the seeds of gymnosperm plants (meaning naked seeds), typically conifers.
• Pinecones are made to protect the seeds: they close their scales to protect them from the cold, wind, and hungry animals, and open up to release seeds during warmer conditions.
• Pinecones are female: the cones come in both male and female forms, with the much smaller male cones releasing pollen which fertilises the larger female pinecones.
• (Some) pinecones are fireproof: the cones can survive wildfire, and in fact require the heat of seasonal fires to trigger their scales to open to release the seeds.
• Coulter pinecones are the world's heaviest: these pinecones can be up to a whopping 10lbs in weight, and can even kill people if they fall on your head (watch out Issy!)
• Pinecones are a feast for wildlife: the seeds are eaten by a variety of species including crossbills, siskins, squirrels and pine martens.
• Pinecones were even eaten by dinosaurs: 60 million years ago they were consumed by Parasaurolophus, which had unique jaws and many teeth adapted to break through the cones.
• Pinecones are a common holy symbol: being depicted alongside ancient Mexican, Hindu, Egyptian, Assyrian, Celtic and Roman deities.
• Pinecones also have medicinal purposes: traditionally different parts of the cone have been used for herbal remedies and holistic practices.