Pinus clausa

 ( Clausa ) 

Pinus clausa is a species of pine endemism to the Southeastern United States. Its common names include sand pine, Florida spruce pine, and scrub pine.

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Distribution The tree is found in two separate locations, one across central peninsular Florida, and the other along the western Florida panhandle coast into the Alabama coast. There is a range gap of about between the populations (from the Ochlockonee River to Cedar Key).

(1990). 9780813010229, University of Central Florida Press. ISBN 9780813010229

The sand pines of the Florida peninsula and of the Florida panhandle coast differ enough to be classified into two varieties or races, Pinus clausa var. clausa ("Ocala"), on the peninsula, and P. clausa var. immuginata ("Choctawhatchee"), along the panhandle coast. While most panhandle sand pines (var. immuginata) have Serotiny, or open, cones, most of the peninsular sand pines (var. clausa) have serotinous, or closed, cones.

Sand pine is largely confined to the very infertile, excessively well-drained, sandy habitat of Florida scrub. It is often the only canopy tree in the Florida scrub ecosystem. Stands of sand pines in peninsular Florida tend to be dense and of the same age, while stands of sand pines along the panhandle coast tend to be more open than on the peninsula, and with trees of varying age.

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Description Pinus clausa is a small, often tree from , exceptionally to tall. It is vulnerable to windfall, and stands in areas prone to hurricanes can be found leaning in the same direction.

The leaf are needle-like, in pairs, long, and its conifer cone are long.

Over much of its range, it is fire-adapted to stand-replacing , with the cones remaining closed for many years ( clausa = closed), until a natural forest fire kills the mature trees and opens the cones. These then reseed the burnt ground. Some populations differ in having cones that open at maturity, with seed dispersal not relying on fires.

Without a fire every 20-60 years, Pinus clausa populations will be succeeded by oak and hickory. Most fires occur in the spring due to low water content in the needles and high winds. In addition, resin content is highest in the spring, causing extreme or uncontrollable fire behavior, such as a 1935 fire in Ocala National Forest that burned 5,670 acres (2,295 ha) in only 4 hours.

(1991). 9780813010229, University of Central Florida Press. ISBN 9780813010229

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Uses

Pinus clausa woodlands are an important part of the Florida scrub ecosystem, and provide habitat for songbirds, birds of prey, grey and flying squirrels, as well as the endangered Neoseps and Florida scrub jay, among other species. It is one of the few canopy trees able to grow in arid, sandy, and hot locations with minimal care.

While the dense branching and crooked trunks makes this tree unsuitable for wood production, it is often used for wood pulp.

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Sources

• (1990). 9780160271458, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. ISBN 9780160271458

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External links

• Pinus clausa. USDA PLANTS.
• Pinus clausa. Flora of North America.

Categories: Clausa, Endemic Flora Of The United States, Flora Of Florida, Trees Of Northern America, Garden Plants Of North America, Ornamental Trees, Plants Used In Bonsai

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