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Slash Pine
Pinus elliottii
Slash Pine
DESCRIPTION
Large tree 30-40m tall with lateral branches, grey to rusty brown bark that sheds in thin scales, and orange-brown branchlets; buds not resinous. Needle- like leaves 17.5–30cm long grouped in twos and threes and held within leaf sheaths 1–2cm long.
FLOWERS AND FRUIT
Shortly stalked symmetrical ovoid female cones 10–13cm long by 5–7cm wide are dehiscent when mature; reddish brown cone scales with exposed part swollen and terminal prickle. Black seeds with wing 2.5–3cm long.
HABITAT AND RANGE
Grown as a plantation crop, but readily escapes on wind-borne seed. Found from southwest of Grafton to Bundaberg. Native of southeast USA to Central America and also the West Indies.
