<P> The species is monoecious, with pollen and seed cones on the same plant . The seed cones are ovoid, 15--32 millimetres (0.59--1.26 in) long, with 15--25 spirally arranged scales; pollination is in late winter with maturation about 8--9 months after . Each cone scale bears three to seven seeds, each seed 3--4 millimetres (0.12--0.16 in) long and 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in) broad, with two wings 1 millimetre (0.039 in) wide . The seeds are released when the cone scales dry out and open at maturity . The pollen cones are ovular and 4--6 millimetres (0.16--0.24 in) long . </P> <P> Its genetic makeup is unusual among conifers, being a hexaploid (6n) and possibly allopolyploid (AAAABB). Both the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of the redwood are paternally inherited . </P> <P> Coast redwoods occupy a narrow strip of land approximately 750 km (470 mi) in length and 5--47 mi (8.0--75.6 km) in width along the Pacific coast of North America; the most southerly grove is in Monterey County, California, and the most northerly groves are in extreme southwestern Oregon . The prevailing elevation range is 98--2,460 ft (30--750 m) above sea level, occasionally down to 0 and up to 3,000 ft (about 920 m). They usually grow in the mountains where precipitation from the incoming moisture off the ocean is greater . The tallest and oldest trees are found in deep valleys and gullies, where year - round streams can flow, and fog drip is regular . The trees above the fog layer, above about 2,296 ft (700 m), are shorter and smaller due to the drier, windier, and colder conditions . In addition, Douglas fir, pine, and tanoak often crowd out redwoods at these elevations . Few redwoods grow close to the ocean, due to intense salt spray, sand, and wind . Coalescence of coastal fog accounts for a considerable part of the trees' water needs . </P> <P> The northern boundary of its range is marked by groves on the Chetco River on the western fringe of the Klamath Mountains, near the California - Oregon border . The largest (and tallest) populations are in Redwood National and State Parks (Del Norte and Humboldt Counties) and Humboldt Redwoods State Park (Humboldt County, California), with the majority located in the much larger Humboldt County . The southern boundary of its range is the Los Padres National Forest's Silver Peak Wilderness in the Santa Lucia Mountains of the Big Sur area of Monterey County, California . The southernmost grove is in the Southern Redwood Botanical Area, just north of the national forest's Salmon Creek trailhead . The southernmost grove can be seen from California Highway 1 at the approximate coordinates 35 ° 49'42 N 121 ° 23'14 W . </P>

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