Editing Pinus muricata

{{Short description|Species of conifer}}
{{Speciesbox
 | image = Pinus_muricata_branch_showing_typical_spiny_cones.jpg
 | status = VU
 | status_system = IUCN3.1
 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Farjon, A. |date=2013 |title=''Pinus muricata'' |volume=2013 |page=e.T34058A2841776 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T34058A2841776.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
 | genus = Pinus
 | parent = Pinus subsect. Australes
 | display_parents = 3
 | species = muricata
 | authority = [[David Don|D.Don]]
 | range_map = Pinus muricata range map 2.png
 | range_map_caption = Natural range of ''Pinus muricata''
}}

'''''Pinus muricata''''', the '''bishop pine''', is a [[pine]] with a very restricted range: mostly in California, including several offshore [[Channel Islands of California|Channel Islands]], and a few locations in Baja California, Mexico. Stands of Bishop Pine are also found in Point Reyes National Seashore, in Marin County north of San Francisco, always on the west side of the San Andreas Fault that runs through the park<ref>https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/nature/treesandshrubs.htm</ref>.  It is always on or near the coast.<ref>{{EOL|991103|Pinus muricata}}</ref>

In San Luis Obispo County it is found alone or in stands scattered on the coastal mountains and hills from [[Morro Bay]] to [[Shell Beach, Pismo Beach|Shell Beach]]. A few stands of the tree are seen on the hills above the Sycamore Canyon Resort in [[Avila Beach]]. Within the City of [[San Luis Obispo]], the Terrace Hill Open Space has several scattered specimens. Bishop pine seems to prefer already disturbed, unvegetated areas where it probably faces less competition from oaks and shrubs.

The common name "bishop pine" resulted from the tree having been first identified near the [[Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa|Mission of San Luis Obispo]] in [[San Luis Obispo]], California. This tree has a large number of common names and other prior scientific names, due primarily to numerous variant forms. Other English names that have occasionally been used are prickle cone pine, Obispo pine, Santa Cruz pine and dwarf marine pine.

==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>

==Forms==
There are two ''Pinus muricata'' forms: 
* a southern form with bright green needles
* a northern form with dark blue-green needles.

The [[resin]] composition also differs. The dividing line between the two is very sharp, five miles (8&nbsp;km) south of the boundary between Mendocino County and Sonoma County, California. Experimental attempts to hybridize the two forms have consistently failed, indicating that their taxonomic relationship may be more distant than the very small differences in appearance would suggest.

==Ecology==
[[File:Pinus muricata SaltPoint.jpg|thumb|right|Growing in Salt Point, California]]
''Pinus muricata'' is found with several oak and cypress associates within the [[California Coast Ranges]]. There are also a number of common [[understory]] flora associates including [[Polystichum munitum|sword fern]], [[salal]] and [[western poison oak]].<ref>C.M. Hogan, 2008</ref> Notable occurrences of ''P. muricata'' is in association with [[Mendocino cypress]] as a [[pygmy forest]] on coastal terraces in Mendocino County and Sonoma County, including one location within [[Salt Point State Park]]. It is classified an [[endangered species]] in Mexico.

==Uses==
''Pinus muricata'' has been used in [[plantation]]s with resultant growth rates higher than in the wild, but with adverse impacts to [[biodiversity]].

This plant has ornamental value, and is cultivated in parks and gardens. It has gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref>[http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=1478 RHS Plant Selector Pinus muricata AGM / RHS Gardening<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Pinus muricata|''Pinus muricata''}}
*{{Wikispecies-inline|Pinus muricata|''Pinus muricata''}}
* {{cite iucn |author=Farjon, A. |date=2013 |title=''Pinus muricata'' |volume=2013 |page=e.T34058A2841776 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T34058A2841776.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}
* {{Gymnosperm Database |family=Pinaceae |genus=Pinus |species=muricata}}
* {{Calflora |id=6520 <!-- unsupported parameter |taxon=Pinus muricata -->}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q866150}}

[[Category:Pinus|muricata]]
[[Category:Trees of Northern America]]
[[Category:Flora of California]]
[[Category:Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands]]
[[Category:Trees of mild maritime climate]]