Pinus echinata

Robin Ussery

Pinus echinata, also known as the shortleaf, rosemary, or yellow pine, is found anywhere from New York to Illinois, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. It is fairly broad-headed, and usually 75 to 125 feet in height. This pine has drooping branches, and slender leaves that are flexible, bluish-green, and three to five inches long. The needles are found in either twos or threes, sometimes with both on the same tree. Its fruit comes in cones, which are egg-shaped, symmetrical, and about two inches long. The cones are furnished with short spines. Its sinuously developed branches easily distinguish this pine from P. taeda, or the loblolly pine. The bark on shortleaf pines is scaly, and nearly black on young trees. However, it becomes reddish-brown with age. In addition, these trees are important timber species, although they probably are not quite as important as loblolly pines with regards to landscape value.

For a key to destinguish Pinus echinata from other pine species see Genus Pinus.

For an image, see shortleaf pine.

Taxonomic Information:

Pinus echinata: Miller. Gardeners Dictionary (Ed. 8).

P. echinata is in the following taxonomic classifications:

Relative Distribution at Sam's Farm (in Clarke County, GA; on Hwy. 78, near mile marker 16):

AREA

STATUS

REFERENCES

Old Field

Common

Robin Ussery, Pers. Ob.

Wetland

?

Woods

Common

Robin Ussery, Pers. Ob.

River Quadrat 3 (1.20.0-1.20.100 to 1.30.0-1.30.100)

Common

Robin Ussery, Pers. Ob.

Uplands Quadrat 4(1.30.0-1.30.100 to 1.40.0-1.40.100)

Common

Robin Ussery, Pers. Ob.

References:

Sources for General Information:

Dirr, Michael A. 1975. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (4th ed.). Stipes Publishing Co. (ISBN 0-87563-347-1).

Everett, Thomas H. 1981. Encyclopedia of Horticulture (Vol. 8). Garland Publishing, Inc. (ISBN 0-8240-7238-3).

Sources for Taxonomic Information:

Fernald, M.L. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany (8th ed.). American Book Co., USA.

Hooker, Joseph D. and Jackson, B. Daydon. 1960. Index Kewensis (Vol. II).