(しんようじゅ)

しんようじゅ
noun
conifer
1. conifer, needle-leaved tree
Trees with needle-like or scale-like leaves, typically cone-bearing. Most are evergreen.
(まつ)(すぎ)針葉樹(しんようじゅ)です。
Pine and cedar are conifers.
針葉樹(しんようじゅ)(さむ)地域(ちいき)でも(そだ)ちます。
Conifers can grow even in cold regions.
針葉樹(しんようじゅ)(もり)一年中(いちねんじゅう)(みどり)です。
Coniferous forests are green all year round.

針葉樹(しんようじゅ) refers to trees with needle-like leaves.

(しん) = needle, (よう) = leaf, (じゅ) = tree

Common Japanese conifers:

  • (まつ) (pine)
  • (すぎ) (cedar)
  • (ひのき) (cypress)
  • (もみ) (fir)
  • 唐松(からまつ) (larch - a deciduous conifer)

Characteristics:

  • Most are evergreen (except larch)
  • Bear cones (松ぼっくり(まつぼっくり) for pine cones)
  • Needle-like leaves reduce water loss
  • Softwood, used for construction

Opposite: 広葉樹(こうようじゅ) (broadleaf trees)