Male (staminate) pine cones are very small in size, ranging from 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter, and are produced on the same tree as the ovulate cones. The image presented below, captured at high magnification with the MIC-D digital microscope, is a stained thin section of staminate cone tissue, revealing an array of winged pollen grains within the fertile leaves.

The anatomy of a staminate pine cone is structured around a spiral series of microsporophylls (the fertile male leaves) that each bear two microsporangia on the lower surface. Pollen mother cells are developed within the young microsporangium. Each cell divides by the process of meiosis to form four microspores, which are arranged in a spherical cloverleaf-like structure and ultimately will produce pollen grains (commonly referred to as microgametophytes).

After the development period has ceased, the microsporangia open and release their store of pollen grains into the atmosphere to begin the fertilization process. At the same time, the scales of young ovulate pine cones separate to allow the dispersed pollen grains to intercalate the scales and adhere to a viscous fluid secreted by the micropyle of the ovule. Captured pollen grains are drawn through the micropyle and then attached to the megasporangia, which will eventually be digested by a very slow-growing pollen tube. During the approximately one year growth period of the pollen tube, the megagametophyte (pollen grain) has developed to the mature archegonium stage.