Gymnosperm Cone

 This pine cone found in my backyard is a great example of a gymnosperm cone. Gymnosperm cones come from plants that do not use sporophyte tissue to completely cover the seeds in its ovary. In order to protect the seeds, this gymnosperm cone must finish covering them with a hard outer layer that humans recognize as a pine cone. This is a female cone because it doesn't have leaves like its male counterpart and has a distinct outer texture.