Object Details
Description
The longleaf pine is a fire adapted species that once blanketed much of the southeastern United States. Native Americans of the region utilized it for many things, including woven pine needle baskets. Non-Native American settlers to the region used the pine heavily for turpentine, a once important substance. Because of the pine’s heavy usage, and reluctance to allow low-grade wildfires to periodically clear out the understory, longleaf pines are now considered endangered, with old-growth stands being exceedingly rare. However, if this tree can be restored, it is likely to be very successful in our changing climate.
The longleaf pine is the state tree of North Carolina.
Hardiness
0 - 30 F
Ethnobotanical Uses
Many Native American tribes used the wood of this tree. Many other tribes used and continue to use the long needles to make baskets. The Louisiana Coushatta tribe, in particular, were among the first practitioners of the coiled pine needle basket technique, and are still known for their skills.
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2021-0953A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Life Form
Evergreen tree
Average Height
150'
Bark Characteristics
Orange-brown, with scaly, rectangular plates as it ages.
Cone Characteristics
Pollen cones are purplish and .8-1" long. Seed cones mature 2 years after pollination and quickly disperse seeds. 6-8" long.
Foliage Characteristics
In fascicles of 2-3, slightly twisted, green, with fine stomata lines and serrulate margins. Persist on tree for 2 years. 8-18" long.
Structure
Oval
Range
SE US
Habitat
Warm temperate to subtropical coastal plain, into uplands and foothills of southern Appalachian Mountains; 1-700 meters
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
On Display
Enid A. Haupt Garden
Common Name
longleaf pine
longleaf yellow pine
Southern yellow pine
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Pinidae
Order
Pinales
Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Pinus
Species
palustris
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2021-0953A