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Pinus contorta var. latifolia
Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson
Lodgepole Pine, Tall Lodgepole Pine, Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Synonym(s): Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia, Pinus divaricata var. hendersonii, Pinus divaricata var. latifolia
USDA Symbol: PICOL
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Lodgepole Pine or Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.), of the Rocky Mountain region of North America, is a tall, narrow tree with thin, scaly bark, long needles, and cones often oblique and pointing outward. It is a variety of Pinus contorta.
This variety is adapted to forest fires, often with cones that remain tightly closed on the trees for many years until a fire destroys the forest. When the heat causes the cones to open, the seeds fall to the bare ground to begin a new forest. This variety is also able to reproduce without fire, and in some areas most of the trees release their seeds without the heat of fire. It is very intolerant of shade and competition. It also displays poor alkali tolerance.
The common name refers to the use of the wood in teepees and lodges by First Nations people who also used the resin for water-proofing canoes, baskets, moccasins, and other articles. (Williams)
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
Size Notes: Up to about 150 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Not ApplicableDistribution
USA: AK , CO , ID , MT , OR , SD , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC , NT , SK , YT
Native Habitat: Forest,Alpine
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Loam
Benefit
Warning: Thorns or prickles.Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon) ![]() Larval Host |
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
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 contorta var. latifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pinus contorta var. latifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus contorta var. latifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-07Research By: TWC Staff