Pine

One of the most familiar of all gymnosperms (plants without flowers) are the pines (genus Pinus). There are about 90 species of pines that are native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. A unique characteristic of the pine is their needle-like leaves. Arranged in a spiral, they are borne upon a single stem.

Pines are an extremely hardy group. The bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva, pictured) can live more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest living organisms in the world.

Pines have been around a long time on the planet, too. Ancestors of modern conifers extend back 300 million years ago, to the Late Carboniferous period when they were plentiful in thick forests. During the relatively dry and cold Permian period (290 to 245 million years ago), pine leaves proved to be a great drought-resistant adaptation that helped pines survive.

This adaptation led to extensive diversification of pine trees throughout the world.

Along with pine needles, pine cones help to identify different trees as they are unique to each (pictured, Monterey Pine cone). Pine trees have female and male cones on the same tree. Male cones produce heavy amounts of pollen that travel via the wind to search for female pine cones. After a cone ripens, many animals eat the seeds. Some seeds make it to the ground and eventually germinate into a new pine seedling.

Descanso Gardens is home to many conifers. They include:
Pinus torreyana | Torrey Pine
Pinus jeffreyi | Jeffery Pine (pictured)
Pinus coultteri | Coulter Pine
Pinus sabiniana | Foothill Pine
Pinus radiata | Monterey Pine
Pinus quadrifolia | Parry Pinyon Pine
Pinus monophylla | Singleleaf Pine