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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Pinus elliottii (Slash pine)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: 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: Red
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Dec

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TX
Native 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: Medium
Light 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:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACW FACW FACW FAC FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

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 Plants
FNA: Find Pinus elliottii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus elliottii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-09-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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