Scientific name: Pinus radiata D. Don

Synonym: Pinus insignis Douglas ex Loudon

Common name: Radiata pine, Monterey pine

Family: Pinaceae

Origin:

Native of Monterey County, California, United States of America.

Habit:

Tree to 30 m tall.

Habitat:

Cultivated for timber and as an ornamental in parks and gardens, this plant has become naturalised along roadsides.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Bark is dark brown with deep ridges. Leaves are dark green, rigid, with a pointed tip and finely toothed margin, 7.5-15 cm long. The leaves are grouped into threes with a 1-1.5 mm long basal sheath enclosing them. Leaves are shed with the sheath intact after three or four years.

Flowers and fruit

This plant produces male and female cones. Male cones are cylindrical, 1-1.5 cm long. Numerous male cones are clustered at the tips of branches. Female cones are obliquely egg-shaped with the outer side larger than the inner side, 7-15 × 6-8 cm when closed. Scales are glossy and greyish brown. Seeds are blackish ellipsoid 6 mm long with a wing 2.5 cm long.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Pine tree with dark brown bark with deep ridges. Pine needles 7.5-15 cm long, grouped in threes are shed with sheath intact at the base are shed after three or four years. Female cones comes obliquely egg shaped.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 3. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.