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Pinus elliottii
Pinus elliottii Engelm.
Slash Pine
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PIEL
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This is a 90-100 ft. pine which looses its lower branches with age, forming a open, rounded crown. Dark-green needles in bundles of 2-3 are relatively long. Large tree with narrow, regular, pointed crown of horizontal branches and long needles. Bark is gray and scaly.
An important species both for lumber and naval stores and one of the fastest-growing southern pines, Slash Pine is extensively grown in forest plantations both in its natural range and farther north. Its beauty makes it popular as a shade and ornamental tree. A variety, South Florida Slash Pine (var. densa Little & Dorman) is a medium-sized tree of south and central Florida with needles mostly 2 in a bundle and with a grasslike seedling stage.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Fascicled
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Cone
Size Notes: Up to about 100 feet tall.
Leaf: Dark Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: RedBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Dec
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TXNative Distribution: Coastal Plain from s. SC to s. FL, also lower FL Keys, w. to s.e. LA
Native Habitat: Low, damp, open woods
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: There are two varieties of this species is s. FL. The typical slash pine is var. elliottii. The variety occuring on the FL Keys and n. along both coasts to c. FL is var. densa. The species is abundantly planted in reforestation. Fairly susceptible to fusiform rust. Salt tolerant.
Propagation
Description: Sow fresh, untreated seed in late fall.Seed Collection: Collect cones from vigorous trees in late summer and fall just before they completely open to drop seeds. Spread cones on racks to dry so they will release seeds. Cones may be shaken to release seeds. Store at a moisture content of 5-10% fresh weight.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW | FAC | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Web Reference
Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Pinus elliottii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pinus elliottii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus elliottii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-09-21Research By: TWC Staff