Pinus elliottii (slash pine)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Hosts/Species Affected
- Biology and Ecology
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Soil Tolerances
- Natural enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Environmental Impact
- Threatened Species
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Wood Products
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Pinus elliottii Engelm.
Preferred Common Name
- slash pine
Variety
- Pinus elliottii var. densa Little & Dorman
- Pinus elliottii var. elliottii
Other Scientific Names
- Pinus heterophylla
International Common Names
- English: swamp pine
- Spanish: pino amarillo; pino macho
- French: pin d'Elliott
- Chinese: shi di song
Local Common Names
- Brazil: pinheiro
- Germany: Elliotts Kiefer
- Italy: pino di Elliott
- South Africa: basden
- USA: Cuban pine; longleaf pitch pine; pitch pine; swamp pine; yellow slash pine
EPPO code
- PIUEL (Pinus elliottii)
Trade name
- American pitch pine
- slash pine
- yellow pine
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pagePinus elliottii var. elliottii, commonly known as slash pine, is an important timber tree species native to the lower coastal plain within the southeastern USA. Trees grow up to 36 m in height and 0.9 m in diameter, producing a long, clear bole. Because of its rapid early growth and production of highly valuable wood products, it has been widely introduced into other countries. As an exotic, it is used in Africa, especially southern Africa, and in Australia and South America for various products, ranging from lumber to pulpwood. In Brazil, P. elliottii makes an important contribution to the resin production industry. Where it has been planted outside its native range it has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized, and in some areas become an aggressive invasive weed, threatening native species and ecosystems. Trees can form dense stands that shade out other plant species.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Gymnospermae
- Class: Pinopsida
- Family: Pinaceae
- Genus: Pinus
- Species: Pinus elliottii
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of page
The genus Pinus was first classified on evolutionary characteristics by Shaw (1914), and most taxonomists have since followed his general separation of the genus into two groups: section/subgenus Haploxylon or Strobus, and Diploxylon or Pinus, commonly called the "soft" (or "white") and "hard" pines, respectively. This division is based on the presence of one or two vascular bundles in the leaves, respectively. Shaw's original subdivision of these groups has been reworked by different authorities (e.g., Pilger, 1926; Duffield, 1952; Ferre, 1965; Landry, 1974, 1978), but botanists in recent years have generally recognized the classification described by Little and Critchfield (Little and Critchfield, 1969; Critchfield, 1986), who recognize three subgenera: (1) Ducampopinus (one species: P. krempfii), (2) Strobus and (3) Pinus.
Pinus elliottii belongs to subgenus Pinus, section Australes. Leaves in this group occur in groups of 2-3 in fascicles, with biform hypodermis, endodermis with a thin outer cell wall, and with internal resin ducts (Little and Critchfield, 1969). There are two varieties of P. elliottii: the typical variety (var. elliottii) and the South Florida slash pine (var. densa).
Stephen Elliott in 1824 was the first botanist to distinguish slash pine, naming it P. taeda var. heterophylla. In a revision of the genus Pinus, George Engelmann (1880) published a detailed description of the new species, naming it P. elliottii in honour of Elliott, whose name for it was cited as a synonym. The name P. elliottii was, however, short-lived, with slash pine being named P. caribaea, P. palustris, P. cubensis and P. heterophylla at various times and by various authors. A study by Little and Dorman (1952) ended the confusion and showed that the hard pines with shiny brown cones generally classified as P. caribaea were in fact three geographically separated taxa, viz. P. caribaea with a tropical distribution in the West Indies and Central America, and P. elliottii vars. elliottii and densa from the southeastern USA and southern Florida, respectively.
The common name slash pine is derived from the local name ‘slash’ given to the overgrown swamps that were its original habitat.
Description
Top of pageP. elliottii var. densa differs in a number of ways from var. elliottii (Little and Dorman, 1954); it is characterized by a grass-like, almost stemless stage that lasts for 2 to 6 years. It has a restricted range, a less desirable tree form than var. elliottii, and is more difficult to regenerate. As a result, almost all information available relates to var. elliottii.
P. elliottii var. elliottii trees range from 18 to 30 m in height and average about 0.6 m in diameter. Large trees are sometimes 36 m tall and 0.9 m in diameter. The trunk is straight and erect with a long clear bole. Self-pruning of the branches is common and results in a relatively short, narrow, ovoid crown with spreading and ascending limbs. P. elliottii develops an extensive lateral root system and a moderate taproot. Maximum length of the lateral roots may be double the tree height.
The needles are 18 to 25 cm long in fascicles of 2 and 3 on the same tree, dark glossy green, and tufted at the ends of tapering branches. They extend back some distance along the branch and are persistent until the end of the second season. Resin canals number 2 to 10 and are mostly internal. The fascicle sheath is usually 1.25 cm or less in length.
P. elliottii is monoecious and wind pollinated. The cones are 10 to 15 cm in length, ovoid-conic, and sessile. They usually persist on the tree until the following summer. Cones are reddish brown, lustrous, and are armed with a sharp spine. Seeds are about 0.6 cm long, dark brown mottled with black, with wings about 2.5 cm long that are thin and translucent.
Distribution
Top of pageP. elliottii is native to the southeastern USA, from southern South Carolina west to southeastern Louisiana and south to the Florida Keys. The range of P. elliottii var. elliottii extends over 8° latitude and 10° longitude. The latitude covered in the southeastern USA ranges from 27° to 35°N. P. elliottii var. densa has a more restricted native range, occurring only in the southern portion of Florida.
P. elliottii has been introduced into other US states, including Hawaii, as well as other countries for timber production. Large scale introductions have occurred in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, China, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. In most of these situations, P. elliottii is an adequate seed producer for continued natural or artificial regeneration.
In Australia, P. elliottii is widely cultivated in forestry plantations and is also commonly grown as an ornamental and street tree. Widely naturalized in southeastern Queensland and less so in the coastal districts of northern New South Wales, it is classed as an environmental weed of roadsides, urban bushland, open woodlands, grasslands, disturbed sites and waste areas in subtropical regions (Queensland Government, 2011).
In South Africa, it is also widely cultivated for timber, and has invaded forest margins and grassland in Mpumalanga. It has also invaded lower-altitude, higher-rainfall areas in Zimbabwe (Coates Palgrave and Coates Palgrave, 2002).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 17 Dec 2021Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Planted | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
||||||||
Burundi | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Eswatini | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Madagascar | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Malawi | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Mauritius | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Réunion | Present | Introduced | ||||||
South Africa | Present | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | First reported: 1920s | |||
Tanzania | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Zambia | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Zimbabwe | Present | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
Asia |
||||||||
China | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-Anhui | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Fujian | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Guangdong | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Guangxi | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Hubei | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Hunan | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Jiangsu | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Jiangxi | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Yunnan | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Zhejiang | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Hong Kong | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Japan | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Taiwan | Present | Introduced | ||||||
North America |
||||||||
Cuba | Present | Introduced | ||||||
United States | Present, Localized | Native | Planted | native range restricted to southeastern USA | ||||
-Alabama | Present, Localized | Native | Planted | |||||
-Arkansas | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-Florida | Present, Widespread | Native | Planted | Both var. densa and var. elliottii native, but var. densa native range restricted to southern Florida | ||||
-Georgia | Present, Localized | Native | Planted | |||||
-Hawaii | Present, Localized | Introduced | 1954 | Invasive | Present in plantations on 6 islands, most significantly on Kauai and Molokai where, along with Oahu, naturalized populations exist in native forest | |||
-Kentucky | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-Louisiana | Present, Localized | Native | Planted | |||||
-Mississippi | Present, Localized | Native | Planted | |||||
-North Carolina | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-Oklahoma | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-South Carolina | Present, Localized | Native | Planted | |||||
-Tennessee | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-Texas | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-Virginia | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Oceania |
||||||||
Australia | Present | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
-New South Wales | Present | Introduced | 1921 | Invasive | Planted | |||
-Queensland | Present, Widespread | Introduced | 1925 | Invasive | Planted | |||
-South Australia | Present | Planted | ||||||
Fiji | Present | Planted | ||||||
New Caledonia | Present | |||||||
New Zealand | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Papua New Guinea | Present | Introduced | ||||||
South America |
||||||||
Argentina | Present | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | Invasive in Entre Rios, Corrientes and Misiones provinces | |||
Brazil | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | large-scale plantations in southern Brazil | |||
-Parana | Present | Planted | ||||||
-Rio Grande do Sul | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
-Santa Catarina | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
-Sao Paulo | Present, Widespread | Introduced | 1936 | Invasive | Planted | |||
Chile | Present | Planted | ||||||
Paraguay | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
Uruguay | Present | Introduced | 1960 | Invasive | ||||
Venezuela | Present | Planted |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageThe naturalized range of P. elliottii has been extended by planting into northern Alabama, Georgia, southern Tennessee and western Louisiana. It was introduced into Kentucky, Virginia and eastern Texas in the 1900s. It now regenerates naturally in these areas.
Of the Pinus species introduced and tested for timber production in the Hawaiian Islands in the 20th century, P. elliottii has been one of the few to thrive in the warm climate and exists in forest reserves on six of the islands, most significantly on Kauai and Molokai; in the latter case, 52,000 trees were planted there between 1954 and 1960 (Skolmen, 1980). Naturalized populations are known in the native forests near the original plantings on Kauai, Molokai and Oahu (Evenhuis and Eldredge, 2012).
In South Africa, P. elliottii has been grown as a commercial forest species in the Eastern Transvaal zone since the 1920s (Darrow, 1992).
In Australia, trials of conifers in infertile coastal lowlands of south-east Queensland were initiated in the 1920s (Nikles, 1996). P. elliottii was introduced to New South Wales in 1921 and to Queensland in 1925, with large scale plantings in Queensland north of Brisbane in the 1930s. Self-sown trees were observed soon after, but were first documented in the 1960s (Richardson and Higgins, 1998).
Seed of P. elliottii was first introduced to Brazil in 1936 by the Instituto Florestal in São Paulo, with large scale plantations being established and investigated for forestry potential in the south of the country in 1955. Due to its ease of management and fast growth, it was used in large reforestation programmes with P. taeda between 1955 and 1964 (Bracelpa, 2010). Subsequently, invasions of P. elliottii have occurred into grassland savannahs, wetlands and coastal dune systems.
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageAs an important timber tree, P. elliottii is likely to continue to be extensively planted in forest plantations throughout its native and introduced ranges.
Habitat
Top of pageThe common name for P. elliottii, slash pine, refers to the swampy overgrown ground known as ‘slashes’ that constitute its native habitat. It grows throughout the flatwood areas of north Florida and south Georgia, along streams and edges of swamps and bays where there is ample soil moisture. It colonizes abandoned fields and, with protection from fire, it has spread to drier sites, replacing P. palustris in mixed stands. P. elliottii var. densa also occurs on dry sites, either sandy flat lands or limestone outcrops.
Young P. elliottii trees are quite susceptible to injury by fire and mature stands can be damaged by fires in areas of heavy fuel accumulations. Trees may suffer severe damage from ice glaze (Derr and Enghardt, 1957) and are subject to windthrow on shallow soils and wherever a strong root system has not developed.
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed forests, plantations and orchards | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Principal habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Wetlands | Principal habitat | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Rocky areas / lava flows | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Rocky areas / lava flows | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Littoral | Coastal dunes | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
Littoral | Coastal dunes | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural |
Hosts/Species Affected
Top of pageP. elliottii can form dense stands that shade out other plant species. In Australia it is particularly common in eucalypt woodland areas. In Hawaii, Poa mannii, a federally listed endangered endemic grass growing only on the island of Kauai, is threatened by competition from P. elliottii and other alien invasive plant species (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010).
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
P. elliottii is a diploid species with a chromosome number of 2n = 24 (Doudrick et al., 1995).
Reproductive Biology
A 3-year period is required in P. elliottii from the time strobili are initiated until the time the seeds mature. The primordia of new strobili are detectable in late spring. These cone initials overwinter as buds the first year. Early in the second year the male strobili become purple and 5 cm long when pollen is shed in late January or February. The female strobili appear on stalks in the upper crown and are about 2.5 cm long and red to purple at the time of pollination. Soon after pollination, the pollen tube ceases to grow and appears to remain in a quiescent state for the summer and winter (Stanley, 1958). During the third growing season fertilization occurs some 12 to 14 months after pollination. The cones enlarge and seeds mature during the third summer.
Physiology and Phenology
Young P. elliottii trees are quite susceptible to injury by fire until they are 3.0 to 4.6 m tall and have bark thick enough to insulate the cambium from lethal temperatures (McCulley, 1950; Gruschow, 1952). Mature stands can be damaged by fires in areas of heavy fuel accumulations. Trees may suffer severe damage from ice glaze (Derr and Enghardt, 1957) and are subject to windthrow on shallow soils and wherever a strong root system has not developed.
Longevity
Although short-lived compared to other pines, slash pines may live as long as 200 years, growing to 18-30.5 m in height.
Associations
In its native range, P. elliottii is associated with coastal plant communities, coniferous and mixed forests, and wetlands. Plant associates include other canopy trees such as live oak (Quercus virginiana) and cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), and understorey plants such as bluestems (Andropogon spp.), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and gallbery (Ilex glabra). Animals associated with slash pine include species that utilize it for protection and cover, as well as those that consume it. Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Cattle and deer browse its seedlings, and some birds such as the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis) nest in slash pine trees (Hill, 2001).
Where naturalized in Australia it is particularly common in eucalypt woodlands.
Environmental Requirements
P. elliottii grows in a warm humid climate characterized by hot, wet summers, warm, dry autumns and springs, and mild, wet winters. In its native range, annual rainfall averages over 1270 mm, with approximately 915 mm falling during the 8 to 9 month growing season. The mean annual temperature is 18°C, with extremes from -18° to +41°C (Shoulders and Parham, 1983). Average monthly temperatures and temperature extremes are not important in limiting its range. However, the species' susceptibility to damage by ice storms may effectively limit its northern extension. Rainfall is also important in determining the range.
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of pageLatitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
---|---|---|---|
35 | 27 | 1 | 150 |
Air Temperature
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit |
---|---|---|
Absolute minimum temperature (ºC) | -20 | |
Mean annual temperature (ºC) | 15 | 24 |
Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC) | 23 | 32 |
Mean minimum temperature of coldest month (ºC) | 9 | 12 |
Rainfall
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Dry season duration | 1 | 4 | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall |
Mean annual rainfall | 1150 | 1500 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
- free
- impeded
- seasonally waterlogged
Soil reaction
- acid
Soil texture
- heavy
- light
- medium
Special soil tolerances
- infertile
- shallow
Natural enemies
Top of pageNatural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amylostereum areolatum | Pathogen | Plants|Stems | not specific | Iede et al. (1998) | ||
Cronartium quercuum | Pathogen | Plants|Stems | not specific | Lohrey and Kossuth (1990) | ||
Dioryctria amatella | Herbivore | Plants|Inflorescence | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Dioryctria clarioralis | Herbivore | Plants|Inflorescence | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Dioryctria merkeli | Herbivore | Plants|Inflorescence | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Gibberella circinata | Pathogen | Plants|Stems | not specific | Blakeslee et al. (1980) | ||
Heterobasidion annosum | Pathogen | Plants|Roots | not specific | Lohrey and Kossuth (1990) | ||
Hylobius pales | Herbivore | Plants|Seedlings | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Ips avulsus | Herbivore | Plants|Stems | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Ips calligraphus | Herbivore | Plants|Stems | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Ips grandicollis | Herbivore | Plants|Stems | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Laspeyresia anaranjada | Herbivore | Plants|Seeds | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Neodiprion abbotii | Herbivore | Plants|Leaves | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Neodiprion lecontei | Herbivore | Plants|Leaves | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Neodiprion merkeli | Herbivore | Plants|Leaves | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Pachylobius picivorus | Herbivore | Plants|Seedlings | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Rhyacionia subtropica | Herbivore | Plants|Stems | not specific | Drooz (1985) | ||
Seymeria cassioides | Parasite | Plants|Roots | not specific | Mann et al. (1969) | ||
Sirex noctilio | Herbivore | Plants|Stems | not specific | Ciesla (2003) |
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageNatural Dispersal
Being winged, seeds are mostly spread short distances by wind (Queensland Government, 2011); over 90% fall within 45 m of the source tree (Cooper, 1957).
Vector Transmission
In Australia, Richardson and Higgins (1998) report that dispersal of slash pine cones by the glossy black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) has aided the tree's spread into Eucalyptus forests.
Intentional Introduction
As an important forest tree, P. elliottii continues to be introduced to new areas for forestry purposes.
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Escape from confinement or garden escape | Yes | |||
Forestry | Yes | Yes | ||
Habitat restoration and improvement | Yes | Yes | ||
Nursery trade | Yes | Yes | ||
Ornamental purposes | Yes | Yes |
Pathway Vectors
Top of pageVector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Host and vector organisms | Yes | Yes | Richardson and Higgins (1998) | |
Wind | Yes | Cooper (1957); Queensland Government (2011) |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Cultural/amenity | Positive |
Economic/livelihood | Positive and negative |
Environment (generally) | Negative |
Environmental Impact
Top of pageImpact on Habitats
P. elliottii is classed as a Category 2 invasive species in South Africa, being a particular problem in Mpumalanga Province. Dense stands reduce water runoff and stream flow from mountain catchments, compete with native species, reduce grazing and pose a fire hazard (Invasive Species South Africa, 2015).
Studies have been carried out into P. elliottii invasions into grassland savannahs, wetlands and coastal dune systems in Brazil. Zenni and Ziller (2011) found it to be one of the most pervasive and aggressive invaders of subtropical ombrophilous forest and savannah. In coastal dunes in Florianópolis in Santa Catarina state, P. elliottii seed rain was observed to be continuous throughout the year, generating about 2 million viable seeds/ha annually which compensated for the lack of a soil seedbank. A 90% germination rate and a dense, permanent seedling bank contributed to the pine’s high level of invasiveness (Bechara et al., 2013, 2014). Abreu and Durigan (2011) observed that invasion by P. elliottii was one of the most serious threats to the remaining cerrado vegetation in São Paulo state. In one area, 22 years after the arrival of the first founding trees the savannah had become a dense pine forest, causing severe loss of native biodiversity.
In Argentina, P. elliottii has been observed invading overgrazed natural grasslands and other disturbed areas in Entre Rios, Corrientes and Misiones provinces, while in Queensland, Australia, the species has invaded heathland and open eucalypt forests (Richardson and Higgins, 1998).
Impact on Biodiversity
P. elliottii is a fast-growing tree that establishes dense stands that shade out native plants and prevent their regeneration. Invaded grasslands are transformed over time into species-poor shrublands and forests (Weber, 2003).
In Hawaii Poa mannii, a federally listed endangered endemic grass growing only on the island of Kauai, is threatened by loss and modification of habitat by alien invasive species such as P. elliottii. When it was listed in 1994, only four populations were known, containing a total of approximately 125 individuals (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994). From observations between 1991 and 2008, at least 13 populations are now known, with at least 100 individuals (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010).
P. mannii is one of three native Poa species in the Hawaiian Islands, all endemic to Kauai. It typically grows on moist vertical cliff faces or dripping, wet rock faces often on northern exposures in partial shade in lowland or montane diverse mixed mesic Metrosideros polymorpha or Acacia koa–M. polymorpha forests or shrubland at elevations of 327-1222 m (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003). Although described as a perennial, P. mannii appears to die back each year, with few rhizomes surviving to the following year. During this dieback period, several invasive introduced plant species have been known to overtake its cliff habitat (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994), competition from alien invasives, especially Erigeron karvinskianus and Lantana camara, but including P. elliottii, being a leading threat to the species’ survival. To reduce the threat to P. mannii, over 600 seeds were collected and stored, but no propagation had been carried out by 2010, and no plans for ecosystem-level restoration and management of habitats had been drawn up (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010).
Rolon et al. (2011) found that in the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, macrophyte species richness in ponds was reduced in areas invaded by P. elliottii.
Threatened Species
Top of pageThreatened Species | Conservation Status | Where Threatened | Mechanism | References | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poa mannii (Mann's bluegrass) | CR (IUCN red list: Critically endangered); USA ESA listing as endangered species | Hawaii | Competition; Competition - monopolizing resources; Competition - shading | US Fish and Wildlife Service (2010) |
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Abundant in its native range
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
- Long lived
- Has high reproductive potential
- Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
- Damaged ecosystem services
- Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
- Modification of fire regime
- Modification of hydrology
- Monoculture formation
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Threat to/ loss of endangered species
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition - shading
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Top of pageEconomic Value
Slash pine is an important source of timber and wood pulp. Many of the products of P. elliottii forests are used in international trade. These range from solid wood products to kraft paper. The sapwood of P. elliottii is a yellowish white, while the heartwood is a reddish brown. The wood is very strong and heavy, very stiff, hard and moderately high in shock resistance. It has straight grain, is medium in texture and relatively difficult to work with hand tools (Alden, 1997). It is used for products such as sawlogs, veneer logs, poles, piling, posts, pulpwood, particleboard and chip-n-saw logs. The straightness of the bole makes P. elliottii particularly suited for poles, piling and solid wood products. Due to its rapid early growth it is also well suited for pulpwood rotations where paper is the final product. P. elliottii also yields the best quality and highest quantity of commercial turpentine of all American pitch pines (Streets, 1962).
Social Benefit
P. elliottii is also grown for its ornamental value and as a street tree. The species has been frequently used in agroforestry situations.
Environmental Services
Slash pines provide habitat and food for birds and small mammals, and are an important component of many natural communities (Hill, 2001). P. elliottii trees can be planted to stabilize the soil on eroding slopes and strip mine spoil banks.
Uses List
Top of pageEnvironmental
- Agroforestry
- Erosion control or dune stabilization
- Revegetation
Fuels
- Fuelwood
General
- Ornamental
Materials
- Fibre
- Gum/resin
- Miscellaneous materials
- Wood/timber
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Traditional/folklore
Wood Products
Top of pageBoats
Containers
- Boxes
- Crates
Pulp
- Long-fibre pulp
Roundwood
- Building poles
- Posts
- Transmission poles
Sawn or hewn building timbers
- Bridges
- Carpentry/joinery (exterior/interior)
- Engineering structures
- Flooring
- For heavy construction
- For light construction
Veneers
Wood-based materials
- Composite boards
- Laminated veneer lumber
- Laminated wood
- Plywood
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageIn the southeastern USA, P. elliottii can be readily distinguished from the other two southern yellow pines, P. palustris and P. taeda; from P. palustris by its thinner branchlet tips (1.75 vs. 2.5 cm diameter) and from P. taeda by having cones on a short stalk rather than no stalk (sessile) (Christman, 2011).
P. elliottii can be confused with several other naturalized pine species in Australia, but can be differentiated from them on the basis of cone and needle morphology. P. elliottii has relatively large symmetrical cones (7-20 cm long) borne on short stalks, and relatively long needles (15-30 cm) borne in groups (fascicles) of two or three (usually two). In P. radiata the cones are of similar size and borne on short curved stalks, and the needles are shorter (8-15 cm) and usually borne in groups of three. P. caribaea has relatively small symmetrical cones (5-12 cm) borne on short stalks, and relatively long needles (15-30 cm), usually in groups of three. In P. pinaster cones are large (9-20 cm long), slightly symmetrical or asymmetrical and sessile, while needles are long (10-30 cm) and usually borne in groups of two. P. halepensis has relatively small cones (5-14 cm) on curved stalks 10-30 mm long. Its needles are short (4-12 cm) and borne in groups of two (Queensland Government, 2011).
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Where P. elliottii is growing as a weed, small individual plants can be removed by hand pulling, particularly in moist soil, taking care to remove the roots and applying mulch to discourage regrowth. Larger individuals may be dug out with a mattock or similar tool. Cutting and painting stumps with glyphosate can be done, but the herbicide mixture must be applied within 15 seconds of making the cut. In Australia, slash pines are sometimes used by native fauna as habitat trees (although they have little food value) so should be checked before felling. It is recommended that slash pines be replaced with native trees such as Eucalyptus to provide food and shelter for wildlife (Moreton Bay Regional Council, 2015).
References
Top of pageBlakeslee GM; Dwinell LD; Anderson RL, 1980. Pitch canker of southern pines [Gibberella fujikuroi var. subglutinans]: identification and management considerations. Forestry Report, Southeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service, No. SA-FR 11, i + 15 pp.; 12 col. pl.; 19 ref.
Bracelpa, 2010. Pinus., Brazil: Bracelpa - Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association. http://bracelpa.org.br/bra2/?q=en/node/227
Byram TD; Lowe WJ, 1996. Forty-fourth progress report of the Cooperative Forest Tree Improvement Program. Circular Texas Forest Service, No. 296.
Carey JH, 1992. Pinus elliottii. Fire Effects Information System. Missoula, Montana, USA: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. http://www.feis-crs.org/beta/
Christman S, 2011. Pinus elliottii. Floridata Plant Encyclopedia. http://mobile.floridata.com/Plants/Pinaceae/Pinus%20elliottii/84
Ciesla WM, 2003. European woodwasp - a potential threat to North America's Conifer Forests. Journal of Forestry, 18-23.
Clutter JL; Jones EP, 1980. Prediction of growth after thinning in old-field slash pine plantations [in southern USA]. Research Paper, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, No. SE-217, 19 pp.; 9 ref.
Coates Palgrave K; Coates Palgrave M, 2002. Palgrave's trees of southern Africa. New edition. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Publishers, 1212 pp.
Critchfield WB, 1986. Hybridization and classification of the white pines (Pinus section Strobus). Taxon, 35(4):647-659; 44 ref.
Doudrick RL; Heslop-Harrison JS, 1996. Unifying-plant-genomes. Genetic recombinational and physical linkage analyses on slash pine. Symposia of the Society for Experimental Biology No. 50. Cambridge, UK: Company of Biologists Ltd, 53-60.
Engelmann G, 1880. Revision of the genus Pinus, and description of Pinus elliottii. St. Louis, Missouri, USA: R. P. Studley & Co, 34 pp.
Evenhuis NL; Eldredge LG, 2012. Records of the Hawaii biological survey for 2011. Part II: Plants. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, 113:102 pp.
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015. Flora of China. St. Louis, Missouri and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2
GBIF, 2015. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. http://www.gbif.org/species
Hill K, 2001. Species name: Pinus elliottii. Fort Pierce, Florida, USA: Smithsonian Marine Station. http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Pinus_elliot.htm
Iede ET; Penteado SRC; Bisol JC; Schaitza E, 1998. Sirex noctilio problem in Brazil: Detection, evaluation and control. In: USDA. Proceedings: Training and Control of Sirex noctilio with natural enemies, 45-52. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, USA: USDA Forest Service, Report FHTET 98-13.
Invasive Species South Africa, 2015. Slash pine, Pinus elliottii. http://www.invasives.org.za/invasive-species/item/303-slash-pine%7Cpinus-elliottii.html
Krugman SL; Jenkinson JL, 1974. Pinus L. Pine. In: Schopmeyer, ed. Seeds of woody plants in the United States. Agriculture Handbook No. 450. Washington, DC, USA: USDA, 598-638.
Lohrey RE; Kossuth SV, 1990. Pinus elliottii Engelm. Slash pine. In: Silvics of North American, Volume 1, Conifers. US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 644:338-347.
Luna RK, 1996. Plantation trees. Delhi, India: International Book Distributors.
McAlister RH; Clark A III; Saucier JR, 1997. Effect of initial spacing on mechanical properties of lumber sawn from unthinned slash pine at age 40. Forest Products Journal, 47(7-8):107-109.
Moore LM; Walker Wilson JD, 2006. USDA-NRCS Plant Guide: slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelm. Baton Rouge, LA, USA: USDA-NRCS National Plant Data Center, 4 pp. http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_piel.pdf
Moreton Bay Regional Council, 2015. Fact sheet: slash pine, Pinus elliottii. Caboolture, Queensland, Australia: Moreton Bay Regional Council. https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/uploadedFiles/moretonbay/environment/vegetation/slash-pine.pdf
Morris AR; Palmer ER; Barnes RD; Burley J; Plumptre RA; Quilter A, 1997. The influence of felling age and site altitude on pulping properties of Pinus patula and Pinus elliotti. Tappi Journal, 80(6):133-138.
Pilger R, 1926. Pinaceae. In: Engler A, ed. Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien (2nd edn).
PROTA, 2015. PROTA4U web database. Grubben GJH, Denton OA, eds. Wageningen, Netherlands: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. http://www.prota4u.info
Pswarayi IZ; Barnes RD; Birks JS; Kanowski PJ, 1997. Genotype-environment interaction in a population of Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii. Silvae Genetica, 46(1):35-40.
Queensland Government, 2011. Slash pine, Pinus elliottii. Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland Edition. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland Government. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/080c0106-040c-4508-8300-0b0a06060e01/media/Html/Pinus_elliottii.htm
Richardson DM; Higgins SI, 1998. Pines as invaders in the southern hemisphere. In: Ecology and biogeography of pines [ed. by Richardson, D. M.]. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 450-473.
Schneider PR; Finger CAG, 1993. Effect of thinning intensity on the height growth of Pinus elliottii [in Santa Catarina]. Ciencia Florestal, 3(1):171-184.
Shaw GR, 1914. The genus Pinus. Publication No. 5. Cambridge, USA: Harvard University, Arnold Arboretum.
Sheffield RM; Bechtold WA, 1981. Forest statistics for south Florida. US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station Research Paper SE-59.
Shoulders E; Parham G, 1983. Slash pine. In: Burns RM (tech. coord.) Silvicultural systems for the major forest types in the United States. US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 445:161-166.
Skolmen RG, 1980. Plantings on the forest reserves of Hawaii: 1910-1960. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, 520 pp.
South DB; Zwolinski JB; Colombo SJ, ed. , Noland TL, 1997. Transplant Stress Index: a proposed method of quantifying planting check. Special issue. Making the grade: proceedings of an international symposium on planting stock performance and quality assessment, held in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada on September 11-15, 1994. New Forests, 13(1-3):315-328.
Squillace AE, 1966. Geographic variation in slash pine. Forest Science Monograph 10, Society of American Foresters.
Stanley RG, 1958. Methods and concepts applied to a study of flowering in pine. In: Thimann KV (ed). Physiology of forest trees. New York, USA: Ronald Press, 583-599.
Stelzer HE, 1997. Evaluating genetic diversity concerns in clonal deployments. In: McCutchan BG, Askew GR, Blush TD, Wise FC, eds, Genetic diversity in commercial forest tree plantations. Southern Regional Information Exchange Group meeting, Clemson, SC, USA, 18-20 July 1994. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 27(3):438-441.
Streets RJ, 1962. Exotic forest trees in the British Commonwealth. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press.
Switzer GL, 1959. The influence of geographic seed source on the performance of slash pine on the Northeast Mississippi Experimental Forest. Mississippi State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Information Sheet 652.
Synder EB; Wakeley PC; Wells OO, 1967. Slash pine provenance tests. Journal of Forestry, 65:414-420.
US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; endangered status for the plant Poa mannii (Mann's bluegrass); final rule. Federal Register, 59(217):56330-56333. [50 CFR Part 17, RIN 1018-AB97.]
US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; final designation or nondesignation of critical habitat for 95 plant species from the islands of Kauai and Niihau, Hawaii; final rule. Federal Register, 68(39):9116-9479. [50 CFR Part 17, RIN 1018-AG71.]
US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010. 5-Year review, short form summary. Species reviewed: Poa mannii (Mann's bluegrass). Current classification: endangered. Portland, Oregon, USA: US Fish and Wildlife Service, 10 pp. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/five_year_review/doc3296.pdf
USDA-ARS, 2015. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch.aspx
Wells OO, 1969. Results of the Southwide Pine seed source study through 1968-69. Proceedings of the 10th Southern Conference on Forest Tree Improvement, 117-129.
Distribution References
Bracelpa, 2010. Pinus., Brazil: Bracelpa - Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association. http://bracelpa.org.br/bra2/?q=en/node/227
CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Carey JH, 1992. Pinus elliottii. Fire Effects Information System., Missoula, Montana, USA: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. http://www.feis-crs.org/beta/
Coates Palgrave K, Coates Palgrave M, 2002. Palgrave's trees of southern Africa. New edition., Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Publishers. 1212 pp.
Evenhuis NL, Eldredge LG, 2012. Records of the Hawaii biological survey for 2011. Part II: Plants. In: Bishop Museum Occasional Papers, 113 102 pp.
Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015. Flora of China., St. Louis, Missouri; Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden and Harvard University Herbaria. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2
GBIF, 2015. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. http://www.gbif.org/species
Little E L Jr, Dorman K W, 1954. Stn. Pap. Steast. For. Exp. Sta, ii + 82.
Lohrey RE, Kossuth SV, 1990. (Pinus elliottii Engelm. Slash pine). In: Silvics of North American, Volume 1, Conifers. US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook, 644 338-347.
Moore LM, Walker Wilson JD, 2006. USDA-NRCS Plant Guide: slash pine, Pinus elliottii Engelm., Baton Rouge, LA, USA: USDA-NRCS National Plant Data Center. 4 pp. http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_piel.pdf
PROTA, 2015. PROTA4U web database., [ed. by Grubben GJH, Denton OA]. Wageningen, Netherlands: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. http://www.prota4u.info
Queensland Government, 2011. Slash pine, Pinus elliottii. In: Weeds of Australia, Biosecurity Queensland Edition, Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland Government. http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/080c0106-040c-4508-8300-0b0a06060e01/media/Html/Pinus_elliottii.htm
USDA-ARS, 2015. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
Contributors
Top of page13/08/15 Invasive Species Compendium sections added by:
Andrew Praciak, CABI, UK
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