Editing Coulter pine (section)

==Description==
''Pinus coulteri'' is a substantial [[pinophyta|coniferous]] [[evergreen]] [[tree]] in the [[genus]] ''[[Pinus]]''. The size ranges from {{cvt|10|–|24|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} tall,{{sfn|Earle|2018}} with a trunk diameter up to {{cvt|1|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}. The trunk is vertical and branches horizontal to upcurved. The bark is dark gray-brown to near black, deeply furrowed, with long, scaly, irregularly [[Anastomosis|anastomosing]], rounded ridges.<ref name=":2">Kral, R. 1993. Pinus. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds.): Flora of North America North of Mexico, Vol. 2. Oxford University Press.</ref> The crown is pyramidal and may be dense or open, depending upon the site.<ref name=":0" /> The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, [[glaucous]] gray-green in color, {{cvt|15|–|30|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} long, and stout, {{cvt|2|mm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} thick.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

The exemplary characteristic of this tree is the large, spiny [[conifer cone|cones]], which are {{cvt|20|–|40|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} long (occasionally as much as {{cvt|50|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} length has been observed)<ref>{{ cite book | last= Lanner | first= Ronald M. | date= 1999 | title= Conifers of California | location= Los Olivos, California | publisher= Cachuma Press | pages= 73–74}}</ref> and {{cvt|23|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} in width,<ref>Gardener's Chronicle Volume 23 (third series)(March 28, 1885) Page 415</ref> and weigh {{cvt|2|–|5|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} when fresh. Each segment, or "scale", of the cone is tipped with a talon-like hook.  Although the slender cones of the [[sugar pine]] are longer, Coulter pines produce the largest cones of any pine species, and people are advised to wear [[hardhat]]s when working in Coulter pine groves. The large size of the cones, combined with the claw-like scales, has earned them the nickname "widowmakers" among locals.{{cn|date=September 2024}} Seed cones mature in two years, gradually shedding seeds thereafter, and are moderately persistent, massive, heavy, drooping, asymmetric at the base, narrowly [[Oval|ovoid]] before opening, ovoid-cylindric when open, {{cvt|20|–|35|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} long, pale yellow-brown in color, and resinous, with stalks to {{cvt|3|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}.  The [[Apophysis (botany)|apophyses]] are transverse-rhombic, strongly and sharply cross-keeled, elongate, curved, and continuous with umbos to form long, upcurved claws {{cvt|2.5|–|3|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}. The seeds are obovoid in shape, dark brown in color, and the body {{cvt|15|–|22|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} long, with a wing to {{cvt|25|mm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}.<ref name=":2" />