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Pinus attenuata Lemmon
Knobcone pine, Knob-cone pine
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
USDA Symbol: piat
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A small pine tree, knob-cone pine normally stays 15-30 ft. tall in cultivation. In the wild it can grow to 50 ft. With age it forms a straggling crown. Its needles are a bright, lime-green. Scales on the tightly closed cones enlarge into prominent knobs. These cones remain on the tree for years, releasing seed only after a fire.
The whorls of many knobby, closed cones help identify this species. Since the cones may become imbedded within the wood of the expanding trunk, this species has been called the tree that swallows its cones. When fires kill the trees, cones as much as 30 years old are opened by the heat and shed their seeds. The abundant seedlings then begin a new forest.
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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
Fruit:
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Distribution
USA: CA , ORNative Distribution: CA & s.w. OR
Native Habitat: Dry barren, chalky or rocky pine or oak groves below 4000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Various dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Konbcone pine has a fast growth rate and is tolerant of wind and heat. P. x attenuradiata is the name given to a commercially available hybrid between this species and P. radiata. This hybrid occurs naturally near Swanton in Santa Cruz Co., CA.
Propagation
Description: Easily propagated by seed.Seed Collection: Cones can be induced to open be keeping them in a warm place for a few weeks.
Commercially Avail: yes
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
Recommended Species Lists
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View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Pinus attenuata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pinus attenuata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus attenuata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2011-07-10Research By: TWC Staff
