lodgepole pine
Pinaceae (Pine family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Photograph
© Larry Halverson (Photo ID #58455)
Map
Distribution of Pinus contorta var. latifolia
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend
Introduction
This is an evergreen coniferous species of tree that is common throughout BC.
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Species Information
General:
Tree, mostly to 30 m tall, but up to 40 m; var. latifolia mostly straight and columnar with narrow rounded crown, var. contorta often somewhat contorted and even bonsai-like; bark reddish-brown to blackish, cracked at the base and somewhat flaky above, furrowed and thicker in var. contorta.
Leaves:
Needles in groups of two, usually curved and slightly twisted, 2-7 cm long; deep green in var. contorta, yellowish-green in var. latifolia.
Cones:
Seed cones egg-shaped, lopsided, 3-6 cm long; stiff bracts with armed tips; serotinous; cones point backwards on twig in var. contorta, outward in var. latifolia; pollen cones reddish-green in clusters at tips of branches.
Notes:
See above re hybridization with P. banksiana. Two varieties are generally recognized in BC.
1. Trees usually with rounded crown, rarely over 15 m tall; bark dark brown to greyish-black, 2-2.5 cm thick on older trees; needles deep green; coastal............... var. contorta (shore pine)
1. Trees usually columnar when close together, 20-40 m tall; bark reddish-brown, very thin, rarely over 1 cm thick; needles yellowish-green; inland..................... var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Wats. (lodgepole pine)
Ecology
The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)
| Site Information |
Value / Class |
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|
Avg |
Min |
Max |
|
| Elevation
(metres) |
1387 | 61 | 2161 |
| Slope
Gradient (%) |
21 | 0 | 132 |
|
Aspect (degrees) |
232 | 0 | 360 |
| Soil
Moisture Regime (SMR) [0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic; 8 - hydric] |
3 | 0 | 7 |
| Modal
Nutrient Regime
Class |
B | ||
| #
of field plots species was recorded in: |
1268 | ||
| Modal
BEC Zone Class |
ESSF | ||
|
All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in |
AT(1), CWH(5), ESSF(434), ICH(112), IDF(257), MH(3), MS(351), PP(2), SBS(18), SWB(10) | ||
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Source:
Klinkenberg 2013
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Habitat and Range
Wet to dry bogs, lower slopes and high river terraces in the lowland, montane and subalpine zones; common throughout BC; N to S AK, YT and SW NT, E to W AB, and S to CA, UT, CO and SD.Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Pinus contorta subsp. latifolia (Engelm. ex S. Watson) Critchfield
Pinus divaricata var. hendersonii (Lemmon) B. Boivin
Pinus divaricata var. latifolia (Engelm. ex S. Watson) B. Boivin
Taxonomic Keys
1. Needles 2 or 3 in a bundle.
2. Needles in bundles of 3, 12-20 cm long..........................Pinus ponderosa
3. Cones spreading at right angles or reflexed, the scales armed with prickles...............................Pinus controta (2 varieties)
1. Needles usually 5 in a bundle.
4. Cones long-stalked, 15-25 cm long, 6-9 cm thick at maturity; cone scales thin and flexible; seeds prominently winged..........................Pinus monticola
5. Cones 8-25 cm long, opening at maturity; scales light brown, thinned somewhat toward the tip...............................Pinus flexilis Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia |