Pinus jeffreyi |
Pinus taeda |
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Jeffrey pine |
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Habit | Trees to 60 m tall; mature crown conic to rounded. | |
Buds | ovoid, light brown to reddish brown, not resinous. |
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Leaves | in clusters of 3; straight, slightly twisted, 12–25 cm × 1.5–2 mm; bluish green to yellow-green; margins finely serrulate; all surfaces with fine stomatal lines; apex acute; sheaths persistent. |
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Pollen cones | lance-cylindrical, 2–3.5 cm long, yellow to brown. |
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Seeds | ovoid, 8–12 mm long, brown with black spots; wings twice as long as body. |
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Trunks | to 2.3 m in diameter; straight; bark yellow-brown to reddish brown, deeply furrowed, forming large irregular scaly plates; branches horizontal to ascending; twigs purplish brown, usually glaucous, roughened by bud scars. |
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Seed cones | oblong, slightly asymmetric; (12)15–30 cm long, brown to reddish brown; horizontal to pendent; stalks less than 3 cm long, maturing in 2 years, opening at maturity; umbos central, raised; prickles reflexed. |
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2n | =24. |
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Pinus jeffreyi |
Pinus taeda |
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Distribution | ||
Discussion | Dry forests. 50–2000 m. CR, Sisk. CA, NV; south to Mexico. Native. Morphologically, Pinus jeffreyi is very similar to P. ponderosa, and the two species are known to hybridize. Pinus jeffreyi can be differentiated from P. ponderosa by its cones, which are generally longer than 15 cm and have reflexed prickles. Conversely, P. ponderosa cones are less than 15 cm long and have straight prickles. Some claim that the two species have unique smells. Allegedly, P. jeffreyi trees have a banana, pineapple, or vanilla scent, whereas P. ponderosa trees have a turpentine scent. |
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Source | Flora of Oregon, volume 1, page 122 Stephen Meyers |
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Sibling taxa | ||
Web links |