1. Identification of the different species is based on the size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone.

2. Carpel primordia arise individually on the remainder of the floral meristem and show neither adnation to the hypanthial wall nor coalescence to one another as they give rise to the styles and stigmas that are exserted above the hypanthium lip.

3. With exserted Awllike bracts 2 to 4 cm long, the sharply-pointed deep green needles like those of Torreya, the very thin bark (and hence the need for fire protection), and its tall spirelike habit that recalls that of Abies lasiocarpa or Picea engelmannii near timberline