Medium-sized to large evergreen tree (smaller in many cvs); branches irregularly whorled; bark moderately thick, fibrous, rather hard. Winter buds minute, hidden by immature lvs. Lvs monomorphic, subulate (juvenile lvs) or linear-subulate, laterally compressed and 4-angled, incurved and usually falcate, with stomata on all 4 sides; base adnate and decurrent on shoot. ♂ strobili (cones) axillary from just behind terminal bud, oblong, the many stamens imbricate. ♀ cones terminal, solitary, subglobose, ripening in first year, but persistent after dehiscence. Scales 20-30, woody, enlarged distally; terminal part of bract scale free, broad-triangular; ovuliferous scales with several prominent, spiny processes on upper margin. Seeds 2-5 to each scale, narrowly winged, irregularly shaped, somewhat flattened.