A pine cone is a seed-bearing organ found on gymnosperm plants, including conifers and cycads. Pine cones are usually woody, ovoid to globular, and consist of scales and bracts arranged around a central axis. The members of the pine family, such as pines, spruces, firs, cedars, and larches, have cones that are imbricate, with scales overlapping each other like fish scales. The female cones are woody and considered the "archetypal" tree cones. The main function of a pine cone is to keep a pine trees seeds safe until they are mature and it is warm and dry enough to release them to grow into new trees. Pine cones can be used to create decorations, organic mulch, and even pine cone characters and creatures. Some types of pine cones, like that of the Jack Pine, need a fast hot fire to open and release their seeds.