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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Pinus pungens

Table Mountain Pine, Bur Pine, Hickory Pine

Scientific Name:

Pinus pungens

Genus:

Pinus

Species Epithet:

pungens

Common Name:

Table Mountain Pine, Bur Pine, Hickory Pine

Plant Type

Tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Pinaceae (Pine Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

36-72 ft.

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry

Bloom Time:

May

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Dry ridges, cliffs, shale barrens. Fairly common, at least locally, in the NC mountains, but rare to uncommon and local in the western Piedmont. Somewhat restricted in habitat.

Leaf Arrangement:

Fascicled (Pines)

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Highest Wildlife Value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G4 - Apparently Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Usually requiring fire for its reproduction.

Table Mountain Pine has short, twisted needles in bundles of 2 (sometimes 3); the needles have very sharp points. The cones are up to 3.5" long, with a stout, curved prickle on the scale tips; they may persist for several years (they are dependent on fire to open).

Pilot Mountain State Park, Surry Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Pinus pungens. You will likely hear them called Table Mountain Pine, Bur Pine, Hickory Pine. This picture shows the Table Mountain Pine has short, twisted needles in bundles of 2 (sometimes 3); the needles have very sharp points. The cones are up to 3.5

Lisa Lofland Gould

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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