not in all my forty nine years, in this northern region where conifers rule, have i taken the time to notice the spring blooms of one of our beloved native residents.  this is the immature male cone of the red pine.  it is often referred to as a “flower” but it is not technically a flower.  it is a strobilus or inflorescence.  to me, it looks a lot like a torch, and the red pine beside the kids’ school was all lit up with them this week.

pollen cone of the red pine

saint paul, minnesota