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Native Plant Database

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Pinus torreyana (Torrey pine)
Page, Lee

Pinus torreyana Parry ex Carr.

Torrey pine

Pinaceae (Pine Family)

USDA Symbol: PITO

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Medium-sized tree with open, spreading crown of branches; shrubby on exposed sites.

One of the rarest native conifers; only several thousand trees exist. A large part of the mainland grove north of San Diego is within Torrey Pines State Park. When cultivated elsewhere for shade and commercial forestry in moist, warm climates, the trees grow rapidly to large size.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Fruit:

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: S. California (San Diego County) and Santa Rosa Island; to 500 (152 m).
Native Habitat: Limited to 2 areas on dry, sandy bluffs and slopes; in pure stands.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1984 VOL. 1, NO.4 - Lady Bird Heartened by Progress, Horticultural Society Annual Meeting Held, Dire...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-05-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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