Taken on Mar. 13, 2022
This photo shows an unopened seed cone of a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) on the Flint Creek Multiple Use Trail in Bankhead National Forest, in Danville, Alabama. The cone is lying on the ground in litter of needles and twigs from the same tree.
Note that the cone is relatively long and narrow, and has a conical shape. The shape of loblolly pine cones is relatively variable, varying from more conical like this one here, to more ovoid and rounded at the bottom. As they open, they often start looking more ovoid and less pointed. Two other characteristics are notable about this cone. The prickles are very robust, thick at the base, sharp, and curved forward towards the cone tips. The robustness of the prickles can make them painful if they poke or snag your skin. Note also the texture of the outer surface of the cone scales, not at all shiny, and having more of a dull or matte texture. Both of these characteristics contrast with the cones of slash pine (Pinus elliottii), a species with otherwise similar-looking cones, but whose cones tend to have a more glossy outer surface and smaller prickles.
This particular pine is growing on an upland site, albeit a relatively flat one. Loblolly pine, which is native to the region, was originally restricted to moist bottomland sites in much of its range, but owing to widespread planting in forestry, combined with clearing of forests, fire suppression, the cessation of controlled burning practices used by Native Americans, and other changes in land use practices, this species has become much more common and moved more onto uplands such as this site. It still tends to be absent from the harshest, driest upland sites where other pines do better.
This photo is featured in 1 plant ID/comparison guide:
These pines are sometimes confused; both grow on wet, poorly-drained sites and have needles of roughly similar length. They are easily distinguished by bark and growth habit, and can also usually be distinguished by needle count and characteristics of fresh cones. P. taeda ranges farther north and is less fire-tolerant, whereas P. elliotti ranges farther south and is more fire-tolerant.
