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Pinus attenuata
Lemmon
Knobcone Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus attenuata is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to dry and/or mountainous areas on the Pacific coast.
Description
Pinus attenuata is a small to medium-sized tree, growing up to 25 to 35 m with a trunk that grows up to 0.8 to 1.1 m wide. It forms a tall, thin, and irregular crown. Needles are stiff and sometimes twisted, typically 9 to 18 cm in bundles of 3. They are yellowish green with bands (which are stomata) on all three sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 4 to 5 years. Sheaths are 10 to 20 mm long, and are persistent. Buds are 15 to 20 mm long, and are resinous. The bark is dark grayish brown, smooth and scaly near the top, blocky and furrowed near the bottom. Twigs are reddish brown and are hairless. Pollen cones are 10 to 15 mm, pale reddish brown. Seed cones are around 10 to 15 cm long, cone-shaped and very asymmetrical, and on a stalk that is up to 1 cm long. They are green, ripening to pale yellowish brown. Cones have at least 75 to 150 scales that are smaller on the side facing the branch, larger and with a more pyramid-shaped on the side facing away from the branch; the exposed faces are tipped with a thick, strong, claw. These cones open only after fire to release their seeds and stay on the tree for many years, sometimes becoming embedded within branches. Seeds are dark, 5 to 7 mm long, with an easily detachable wing that is 12 to 20 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
A hybrid of this species with Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), called Pinus × attenuradiata, is important for forestry as it is very fast-growing, like P. radiata, but also cold-hardy and drought tolerant, like P. attenuata. However, this species has few timber and cultivation uses (Eckenwalder 2009).
Distribution
Pinus attenuata grows on chaparral, serpentine soils, and generally dry and fire-prone slopes. In Mexico it grows at altitudes from 250 to 650 m, while in the United States it grows at altitudes of 300 to 1200 m, sometimes up to 1700 m (Farjon 2013). It is native to the Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada in southern Oregon and California, as well as northwestern Baja California in Mexico (Eckenwalder 2009).
Status
Pinus attenuata is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern". It is still quite common and widely distributed, but in the future, it may face declines from urban development and fire suppression (Farjon 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus attenuata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42343A2974092.en.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus attenuata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42343A2974092.en.
Description
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