Widdringtonia nodiflora dry female cones

When female Widdringtonia nodiflora cones are ready to open, their four scales or valves, now brown or grey-brown, show cracks along the seams and part for seed release. Narrow, cone-shaped warts, resembling medieval, metallic, defence garment features are conspicuous on the outer surfaces of the scales in picture.

The dark brown to nearly black seeds have reddish wing attachments facilitating flight (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.) 2000; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iNaturalist).