Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Coulter Pine



Scientific name: Pinus coulteri

Date collected: April 1st, 2011

Location: Descanso Gardens on the trail between the California Garden and the Camellia Garden

Habitat: Grows in chaparral and lower montane coniferous forests. Seldom seen in in extensive pure stands. Often found on steep southern slopes and ridges between 500' and 7,00' feet.

Nativity: P. couteri is native to Southern California and Northern Baja Mexico. It is also cultivated in Hawaii.

Special notes: Coulter pine is often used as an ornamental plant in large gardens. Because of there enormous size the cones are also used for decoration and craft projects. It has been suggested that Native Americans also ate the seeds from the cone.

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