#pricklecone pine

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 25 March 2025

The prickly seed cones of Pinus muricata (Bishop pine, obispo, pricklecone pine, dwarf marine pine, umbrella pine, bull pine, pitch pine, Santa Cruz Island pine) can persist on a tree for many years. The cones mature in 2 years but may persist for up to 70 years or more; with old cones being enveloped by growing branches or the trunk. Seeds are released by fire from ‘serotinous’ pine cones melting the resin, opening up the cones and releasing seeds that are distributed by gravity and wind.