Patula pine

Patula pine

Pinus patula

Common Name:

Patula pine

Scientific Name:

Pinus patula


Alternative common names:

Jelecote pine, Mexican weeping pine, spreading-leaved pine, tecote pine. 

Description:

Patula pine is a coniferous tree which grows to a height of 30 m or more and attains a diameter at breast height of up to 1.2 m. It can rapidly invade grassland and shrub land where they can compete with native plants, affect fire and hydrological regimes. 

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

Central America

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

NEMBA Category 2

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape Province.

How does it spread?

It reproduces through small, light wind-dispersed seeds.

Why is it a problem?

In South Africa invasive pines have significantly reduced water availability and have had a very negative impact on plants in the fynbos, an area of global biodiversity significance.

What does it look like?

Leaves:- Leaves are grey-green - yellow-green, in clusters of needles (fascicles) of 3, occasionally 4, rarely 5; slender, 15-25 cm long drooping, pale green to yellowish-green colour, the margins finely toothed.
Flowers: - It has no flowers.
Fruit/seeds: - Seeds are dark brown to almost black, very small, about 5 mm long, with a pale brown wing about 17 mm long, slightly thickened at the base where it joins the seed.

Does the plant have any uses?

It's used for board manufacturing and furniture as well as for paper and pulp production, furniture.

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