1. pertaining to fruit or cones that remain on a tree without opening for one or more years —note in some species (e.g., Pinus contorta) cones open and seeds are shed when heat is provided by fires or hot and dry conditions 2. pertaining to a plant or a plant species that flowers or fruits late in the season or to late bud opening and leaf shedding —see case hardening This definition last updated 08/04/2008