Torrey pine

Pinus torreyana Torrey pine
A Torrey pine on the northeast coast of Santa Rosa Island, California
Conservation status
Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Pinaceae
Genus:	Pinus
Subgenus:	Pinus
Species:	P. torreyana
Binomial name
Pinus torreyana Parry ex Carr.
Natural range of Pinus torreyana

The Torrey pine, Pinus torreyana, is a rare pine species in the United States, an endangered species growing only on the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a bluff above the Pacific Ocean, and on one of the Channel Islands, endemic to the coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion in the U.S. state of California.

Description

Torrey pine: female pine cones

Pinus torreyana is a broad, open-crowned pine tree growing to 8–17 meters (26–56 ft) tall in the wild, with 25–30 centimeters (9.8–11.8 in) long leaves ('needles') in groups of five. The cones are stout and heavy, typically 8–15 cm (3.1–5.9 in) long and broad, and contain large, hard-shelled, but edible, pine nuts. The species name torreyana is named for John Torrey, an American botanist, after whom the coniferous genus Torreya is also named.

Distribution

A wild Torrey pine grove, Santa Rosa Island, California.

The "wild" native population of Pinus torreyana is restricted to trees growing in a narrow strip along the Southern California coast in San Diego. There is also a population of the variety Pinus torreyana var. insularis in two groves on Santa Rosa Island, a California Channel Island off the coast of Santa Barbara. The presence of Torrey pines along the semi-arid coast of San Diego and Santa Rosa Island (rainfall less than 15 inches per year) is probably a relic population of a much more extensive Ice Age distribution. Coastal fog during spring and summer along the San Diego and Santa Rosa Island coast provides just enough moisture to supplement the fairly low winter rainfall, allowing for survival of the species in the wild habitat zone.

Habitat

In its native habitat, Pinus torreyana is found in the Coastal sage scrub plant community, growing slowly in dry sandy soil. The root system is extensive. A tiny seedling may quickly send a taproot down 60 centimeters (24 in) seeking moisture and nutrients. A mature tree may have roots extending 75 meters (246 ft). Exposed trees battered by coastal winds are often twisted into beautiful sculptural shapes resembling large bonsai, and rarely exceed 12 m (39 ft) tall.

Conservation

Pinus torreyana was one of the rarest pine species in the world in the early 20th century, with only around 100 trees surviving. Pinus squamata, a critically endangered species in southwest China, is considered the rarest pine currently with only around 20 trees remaining.

Uses

Food

The pine nuts were an important food for the Kumeyaay tribe of Native American people.

Cultivation

Endangered in the wild, Torrey pine is planted as an ornamental tree. They are used in native plant and drought tolerant gardens and landscapes. Under cultivation, on richer soils with higher rainfall or supplemental irrigation, the Torrey pine is capable of fast growth to a large size, with tall and straight trees from 33 metres (108 ft) to 45 meters (148 ft) in height.

The Torrey pine is protected by a city tree ordinance in Del Mar, near the native habitat, and construction projects and citizens require a permit for its removal.

Forestry

Pinus torreyana has been considered as a plantation tree for forestry use in Australia, New Zealand and Kenya.

Naming

In San Diego County it is considered a local icon, where it lends its name to Torrey Pines State Reserve, Torrey Pines State Beach, Torrey Pines Golf Course, Torrey Pines High School, and Torrey Pines Gliderport, as well as numerous local roads, businesses (e.g., Torrey Pines Bank, Torrey Pines Property Management Company, Torrey Pines Landscape Company), and parks.

Terminology

strobili on a Torrey pine

Some unusual terms that are used to describe the Torrey pine are:

• fascicle (botany) – a cluster of needles, which consists of a fixed number of needles for each pine species, which is five for the Torrey pine
• stratification (botany) – the process of subjecting seeds to cold in order to encourage germination, which is a recommended practice for Torrey pine seeds
• strobilus (plural: strobili) – a structure that functions as a flower but looks like a small cone, which for the Torrey pine looks like a yellow bud in a male strobilus and looks like a small red cone in a female strobilus
• witch's broom – an unusually dense cluster of needles, which looks somewhat like a bird's nest, which can be caused by disease or some other cause, also called "gorilla's nest"

See also

• California native plants
• Salt pruning

External links

• Torrey Pines State Reserve
• Jepson Manual Treatment – Pinus torreyana
• USDA Plants Profile: Pinus torreyana
• Pinus torreyana Photo gallery