Vivipary is common in angiosperms especially in mangroves but rare in gymnosperms. The present study reports the incidence of viviparous germination in some members of sub-Himalayan Indian Cupressaceae Cupressus torulosa D. Don. and Biota orientalis Endl. and its ecological significance. This unusual occurrence of vivipary may be due to certain environmental conditions such as high humidity, production and function of phytohormones, seed size and embryonic or adult water relationship or may be hereditary. In the present genera vivipary is suggestive of an adaptive response to frosting in the area during winter. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.