Pinus virginiana

Object Details

See more items in: Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection

Accession Number: 2011-2907A

Description: As implied by its name, the Virginia pine is a native Virginian tree. Although it has an irregular growth form, and the needles can turn slightly yellow in the winter, it is a popular choice for Christmas trees in the south. Historically, the Virginia pine was used heavily by the Cherokee for medicinal purposes, and by non-Cherokee settlers for mines and to construct railroad tracks.; The Virginia pine is Endangered in New York.
Hardiness: -20 - 20 F
Ethnobotanical Uses: Cherokee used needles or gum to scent soap, and ashes from burned branches were thrown on hearth fire after death in a home.
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical: Cherokee used various parts of tree to treat diarrhea, rheumatism, as a cold remedy, for fevers, for swollen breasts, hemorrhoids, for swollen testicles caused by mumps, tuberculosis, constipation, intestinal worms, colics, measles, hysterics, and venereal disease. Infusions also used as a stimulant.
Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin

Topic: Trees; Living Collections

Range: E USA
Habitat: Piedmont and lower slopes of Appalachian Mountains; sea coast in north, interior and higher altitudes in south. Humid and cool; 1-650 meters

Life Form: Evergreen tree
Average Height: 30-60'
Bark Characteristics: Young: smooth, reddish, scaly Mature: gray-brown, thick, shaggy
Cone Characteristics: Seed cones are narrowly ovoid, red-brown, with rigid scales. Born in tree's crown. 1.5-3" long.
Foliage Characteristics: Yellow-green, twisted needles with serrulate margins. 2 per fascicle. 1.5-3" long.
Structure: Oval

Data Source: Smithsonian Gardens

Common Name: Scrub Pine; Virginia Pine; Spruce Pine
Group: [vascular plants]
Class: Equisetopsida
Subclass: Pinidae
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Species: virginiana

Restrictions & Rights: Usage conditions apply

Metadata Usage: Not determined

GUID

Record ID: ofeo-sg_2011-2907A

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