The familiar woody cone is the female cone, which produces seeds. The male cone, which produces pollen, is usually herbaceous and much less conspicuous even at full maturity.

Do pine cones make pollen?

Male pine cones release pollen, and have tight "scales," while female pine ones have unfertilized seeds, looser scales, and sit lower on a tree.

What is pollen cone?

Sexual reproduction in gymnosperms follows a familiar pattern. Pollen, which contains the male sex cells, is produced in pollen cones, which are essentially miniature branches with modified leaves called scales that house the male reproductive organs. Mature pollen is shed and carried away by the wind.