longleaf pine
ExplorePlants
longleaf pine
Pinus palustris
The longleaf pine is a tall tree with long, slender needles that can grow very high. It provides homes for many animals and helps keep the air clean.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The longleaf pine has incredibly long, dark green needles, bundled in threes, that can grow up to 18 inches. Its straight, sturdy trunk is covered in scaly reddish-brown bark, topped by an open, rounded crown. Large, prickly cones often remain on branches.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusPinus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
For several years, young longleaf pines look like a patch of grass!
Longleaf pines can live for hundreds of years, making them wise, old forest guardians!
Their incredibly long needles, up to 18 inches, are the longest of any pine species!
These trees once covered 90 million acres of the southeastern United States!
Special abilities
Ability
Fire Shield
Longleaf pine can withstand frequent fires due to its thick bark and 'grass stage' growth, helping it survive wildfire.
Ability
Anchoring Roots
This pine develops a deep taproot to find water and nutrients far underground, making it drought-resistant and stable.
Ability
Phoenix Power
Longleaf pine seeds need bare soil exposed by fire to sprout, ensuring new trees grow in healthy, open environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 3000-4700 cm
- Spread
- 600-1200 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
shelters
Red-cockaded woodpecker
Dryobates borealis
nests in cavities of living pines.
depends on
Gopher tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
relies on open longleaf pine forests.
eats
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Eastern fox squirrel
Sciurus niger
consumes seeds from longleaf pine cones.
symbiotic with
Wiregrass
Aristida stricta
co-exists in fire-maintained habitats.
Traits
Coniferous
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Stay away from the sharp needles and branches when playing near these trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is longleaf pine?
3000-4700 cm
How wide does longleaf pine spread?
600-1200 cm
When does longleaf pine bloom?
Spring
Is longleaf pine edible?
No
Is longleaf pine toxic?
None
What is longleaf pine's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is longleaf pine pollinated?
Wind
Where is longleaf pine usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park20 sightings8 species
North Carolina, US
Singletary Lake State Park
You might spot Spiny Spikemoss, Mountain Laurel, and Longleaf Pine.
View guide →
Park9 sightings7 species
North Carolina, US
Jones Lake State Park
You might spot American Turkey Oak, Longleaf Pine, and Spiny Spikemoss.
View guide →
Park11 sightings4 species
Florida, US
Clear Lake Park
You might spot Oaks, Baldcypresses, and Virginia Creeper.
View guide →
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