Pinus clausa
| Pinus clausa | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Pinales |
| Family: | Pinaceae |
| Genus: | Pinus |
| Subgenus: | P. subg. Pinus |
| Section: | P. sect. Trifoliae |
| Subsection: | P. subsect. Contortae |
| Species: | P. clausa
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| Binomial name | |
| Pinus clausa | |
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| Generalized natural range of Pinus clausa | |
Pinus clausa is a species of pine endemic to the Southeastern United States. Its common names include sand pine, Florida spruce pine,[1] and scrub pine.[2]
Distribution[edit]
The tree is found in two separate locations, one across central peninsular Florida, and the other along the western Florida panhandle coast into the Alabama coast. There is a range gap of about 200 km (120 mi) between the populations (from the Ochlockonee River to Cedar Key).[3] The sand pines of the Florida peninsula and of the Florida panhandle coast differ enough to be classified into two varieties or races, Pinus clausa var. clausa ("Ocala"), on the peninsula, and P. clausa var. immuginata ("Choctawhatchee"), along the panhandle coast. While most peninsular sand pines (var. clausa) have non-serotinous, or open, cones, most of the panhandle sand pines (var. immuginata) have serotinous, or closed, cones.[4]
Sand pine is largely confined to the very infertile, excessively well-drained, sandy habitat of Florida scrub. It is often the only canopy tree in the Florida scrub ecosystem. Stands of sand pines in peninsular Florida tend to be dense and of the same age, while stands of sand pines along the panhandle coast tend to be more open than on the peninsula, and with trees of varying age.[5]
Description[edit]
Pinus clausa is a small, often shrubby tree from 5–10 m (16–33 ft), exceptionally to 21 m (69 ft) tall.
The leaves are needle-like, in pairs, 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long, and its cones are 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) long.[6]
Over much of its range, it is fire-adapted to stand-replacing wildfires, with the cones remaining closed for many years (clausa = closed), until a natural forest fire kills the mature trees and opens the cones. These then reseed the burnt ground. Some populations differ in having cones that open at maturity, with seed dispersal not relying on fires.[7]
Uses[edit]
Pinus clausa woodlands are an important part of the Florida scrub ecosystem, and provide habitat for the endangered Florida sand skink, among other species. It is one of the few canopy trees able to grow in arid, sandy, and hot locations with minimal care.
While the dense branching makes this tree unsuitable for wood production, it is often used for wood pulp.
References[edit]
- ^ a b Farjon, A. (2013). "Pinus clausa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T34050A2841499. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T34050A2841499.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Pinus clausa". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ Myers, Roland L. (1990). "Scrub and High Pine". In Myers, Ronald L.; Ewel, John J. (eds.). Ecosystems of Florida. Orlando, Florida: University of Central Florida Press. pp. 162–163. ISBN 0-8130-1022-5.
- ^ Brendemuehl 1990, p. 294.
- ^ Brendemuehl 1990, pp. 294–295.
- ^ "Pinus clausa in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
- ^ Moore, Gerry; Kershner, Bruce; Craig Tufts; Daniel Mathews; Gil Nelson; Spellenberg, Richard; Thieret, John W.; Terry Purinton; Block, Andrew (2008). National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America. New York: Sterling. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-4027-3875-3.
Sources[edit]
- Brendemuehl, R. H. (1990). "Pinus clausa Sand Pine". In Burns, Russell M.; Honkala, Barbara H. (eds.). Silvics of North America: Volume 1, Conifers. Agriculture Handbook 654. Washington, D.C.: Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. pp. 294–301. LCCN 86-600518.
External links[edit]
- Pinus clausa. USDA PLANTS.
- Pinus clausa. Flora of North America.
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