Editing Pinus muricata (section)

==Description==
''Pinus muricata'' is a [[coniferous]] [[evergreen]] [[tree]] growing to a height of {{convert|15|to|26|m|ft}},<ref>{{FEIS |genus=Pinus |species=muricata |type=tree |last=Cope |first=Amy B. |date=1993}}</ref> rarely up to {{convert|34|m|ft}}, with a trunk diameter of up to {{convert|1.2|m|ft}}. The [[species]] is often smaller, stunted and twisted in coastal exposures. It is drought-tolerant and grows on dry, rocky soil.


The needles are in pairs, green to blue-green, and  {{convert|8|–|16|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}} long. [[Conifer cone|Cone]]s occur in one to five clusters.<ref>W.L. Jepson, 1909</ref> The cones are strongly reflexed down the branch, {{convert|5|to|10|cm|in|-long|adj=mid}} long; the scales are stiff, thin on the side of the cone facing the stem, but greatly thickened on the side facing away and with a stout {{convert|5|to|12|mm|in}} spine; both features adaptive to minimise [[squirrel]] predation and fire damage to the cones. The cones remain unopened for many years until fire or strong heat causes them to open and release the seeds.<ref name="Moore2008">{{cite book|author1=Moore, Gerry |author2=Kershner, Bruce |author3=Craig Tufts |author4=Daniel Mathews |author5=Gil Nelson |author6=Spellenberg, Richard |author7=Thieret, John W. |author8=Terry Purinton |author9=Block, Andrew |title=National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America |publisher=Sterling |location=New York |year=2008 |page=90 |isbn=978-1-4027-3875-3}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:Pinus muricata-1.jpg|Needles
File:Pinus muricata, Morro Bay State Park, San Luis Obispo, California 4.jpg|Cones
File:Growing tip of Pinus muricata.JPG|Growing tips
</gallery>