Most gymnosperms alive today are in a group called the conifers. They have cones like those pictured at the right. Naked seeds are present on these cones.

Male cones release pollen that is carried by wind currents to female cones. Seeds are formed from the union of sperm from the pollen and the egg from the female.

Leaves in conifers are needle-like. This is an adaptation to prevent water loss during the winter when most water in their environment is in the form of ice or snow.

Conifers do not lose all their leaves seasonally, but will lose a few at time. They have a complete leave change every two to five years.