Slash Pine
Pinus elliottii
- Native to:
- United States
Mason Brock ( Masebrock (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- Pinus elliottii
- USDA Symbol:
- PIEL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 3000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
blister coneworm moth (Dioryctria clarioralis), Cydia anaranjada, Holcocera lepidophaga, Melanocinclis lineigera, Nantucket pine tip moth (Rhyacionia frustrana), pine devil moth (Citheronia sepulcralis), pine webworm (Pococera robustella), Pyroderces badia, Rhyacionia aktita, Satronia tantilla, Southern pine coneworm moth (Dioryctria amatella), Subtropical Pine Tip Moth (Rhyacionia subtropica)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Slash pine is fire-adapted; mature trees have thick bark and can survive low-intensity surface fires.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal plains and flatwoods
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy; sow in well-drained sandy soil.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 90 days.
Notes: Seeds require light for germination.
Source: Claude AI
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)