We noticed these cone scales at UBC Botanical Garden last week, on the ground in front of a Douglas Fir snag. It was really the very sharp hook (bract?) on the attachment end that got our attention. The only conifers in the area are Douglas Firs, and we're pretty sure that's not this, so maybe these came in with the mulch and survived the chipping. Is it possible to tell what kind of tree they're from? A white pine with 20cm cones? Pinus wallichiana? That's not so common around here that I'd expect to see cone scales in bark mulch. Or am I misunderstanding what I'm looking at?
Yep, Pinus wallichiana. Likely swept up from under the BG's specimens and shoved through the shredder along with other assorted debris off the ground.
