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Pinus echinata
Mill.
Shortleaf Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus echinata is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is widely distributed in the southeastern United States, and is an important timber tree.
Description
Pinus echinata is a medium-sized tree, growing up to 35 to 42 m tall with a trunk that grows up to 0.9 to 1.2 m wide. It forms a round crown, with slender and horizontal branches. Needles are flexible and sometimes twisted, typically 7 to 11 cm in bundles of 2, sometimes 3. They are dark yellowish to bluish green with thin bands (which are stomata) on both sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 3 to 5 years. Sheaths are 7 to 15 mm long, and are persistent. Buds are 5 to 10 mm long, and are resinous. The bark is reddish to grayish brown, broken up into rectangular and scaly plates. Twigs are slender, reddish brown, slightly waxy and are hairless. Pollen cones are 15 to 30 mm, yellowish green, sometimes with a purple tint. Seed cones are 4 to 7 cm long, egg-shaped, and with a short stalk up to 1 cm. They are green, ripening to reddish brown. Cones have typically 75 to 100 scales that are paddle-shaped; the exposed face has a diamond-shaped pyramid and a sharp spine curving downwards. These cones open widely to release their seeds and stay on the tree for a few years. Seeds are 6 to 7 mm long, with a non-detachable wing that is 12 to 18 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus echinata is an important timber tree, and is used primarily for pulp (Farjon 2013; FNAEC 1993).
Distribution
Pinus echinata is native to dry forests. It is native to the southerneastern United States, from southern New York, south to northern Florida, west to eastern Texas, north to Missouri and Illinois (FNAEC 1993). It is cultivated in China as well (Wu et al. 1999).
Status
Pinus echinata is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", since it has a very wide distribution. According to the IUCN the population of this species is increasing (Farjon 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus echinata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42359A2974993.en.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus echinata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42359A2974993.en.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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