Widdringtonia nodiflora male cone abundance

Male cones of Widdringtonia nodiflora may be present in profusion on young branchlets. The photo of this plethora was taken in June. The species doesn’t flower in the normal sense, as widdringtonias are conifers.

Wind pollination requires such profuse pollen production for several months every year to ensure that the small percentage of grains hitting their targets will deliver enough fruit. Although male and female cones grow on the same tree, the probability of success for a single airborne grain is extremely low.

Insects and other animals, so active in flowers of many kinds, do not participate in pollinating cypress trees (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.) 2000; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iNaturalist).