Conifer
The Order Pinales in the Division Pinophyta, Class Pinopsida comprises all the extant conifers. This order was formerly known as the Coniferales.
The distinguishing characteristic is the reproductive structure known as a cone produced by all Pinales. All of the extant conifers, such as cedar, cypress, fir, juniper, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew are included here. Some fossil conifers, however, belong to other distinct orders within the Division Pinophyta.
The yews have previously been separated into a distinct order of their own (Order Taxales), but genetic evidence indicates that yews are monophyletic with other conifers and they are now included in the Order Pinales. However, the evidence on these facts are vague, therefore it was probably a controversy over time.
The families included are Araucariaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Cupressaceae, Emporiaceae, Majonicaceae, Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Sciadopityaceae, Taxaceae, Taxodiaceae, Ullmanniaceae, Utrechtiaceae, Voltziaceae.
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinales - 19.03.2012
Small Beginning
We again and again watch it in nature;
and yet it often is difficult for us,
to discover the great,
which shall arise from it,
in a small beginning