LONGLEAF PINE 



Pinus -palustris Miller 



A journey from Virginia south to Florida traverses the region in 

 which longleaf pine abounds. This is a stately tree, sometimes attain- 

 ing a height of no feet, with a trunk five feet in diameter. Often it 

 forms extensive forests along the coastal plain. The long leaves clus- 

 tered near the ends of the branches give a strikingly feathery and quite 

 distinctive appearance to the tree. When in bloom, the clustered spikes 

 of flowers are very beautiful. Clouds of pollen are blown from them 

 by the wind. This tree is the principal source of turpentine, pine tar, 

 and rosin. The wood is hard and strong and either light red or orange 

 in color. 



Longleaf pine ranges along the coast from Texas to Florida, and 

 northward to Virginia. 



The specimen sketched was obtained on Ladys Island, near Beau- 

 fort, South Carolina. 



PLATE 139 



