Widdringtonia nodiflora old open female cones

After ripening, opening and releasing their seeds, the clusters of Widdringtonia nodiflora female cones gape as in the photo. The four segments or valves retain their frozen pose in a spreading, four-lipped smile, woody and dry, until dropping off eventually.

These trees don’t skimp on seed packaging (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.) 2000; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iNaturalist).