Nearctica - Native Conifers of North America

Southeastern Conifers

Along the coastal plains of the southeastern United States and Florida grow a number of conifer species, particularly species of pines.

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is probably the most familiar southern U.S. conifer. The species is most common along the coastal plains of the United States in a variety of habitats including the Everglades and the swamps of the southeast. Along the Mississippi valley the species grows along streams and around small ponds. Although the Bald Cypress is typically associated with swampy habitats, it is not limited to them. In cultivation the species does very well in parks and yards. The native range of baldcypress extends along the lower Atlantic Coastal Plain from southern Delaware to southern Florida and thence along the lower Gulf Coast Plain to southeastern Texas. Further south a distinctive population of Bald Cypress ranges throughout most of Mexico. Inland, Bald Cypress grows along the many streams of the middle and upper coastal plains and northward through the Mississippi Valley to southeastern Oklahoma, southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwestern Indiana.

Botanists disagree about the number of Bald Cypress species. This site accepts a single widespread species, but others give the number at 2 or 3 more geographically limited species.

Learn More About Bald Cypress

The native range of Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) was relatively small limited to Florida and the southeastern coastal plain in regions of relatively damp soils. However because of the vigor of the species Slash Pine has been used extensively in reforestation projects and now occurs throughout the world in plantations. The species has long needles and is superficially similar to two other species of the southern U.S.; Loblolly Pine and Long-leaf Pine.

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Sand Pine (Pinus clausa) occurs in central Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Sand Pine is a small species and is almost always found on sandy soils. The white in the picture on the left is not snow but white sand.

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Long-leaf Pine (Pinus palustris) occurs primarily in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States in areas dominated by hot summers and moderate winters. The species occurs in a wide variety of habitats ranging from poorly drained lowlands to high, dry, and exposed mountain ridges. The natural range of Long-leaf Pine includes most of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains from southeastern Virginia to eastern Texas and south through the northern two-thirds of peninsular Florida. The species also grows in the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, and Mountain Provinces of Alabama and northwest Georgia.

Long-leaf Pine is an important tree for both lumber and pulp.

Learn More About Long-Leaf Pine

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is an adaptable species that has been successfully planted along the periphery of its natural range and has been introduced on other continents with varying degrees of success. The species is found in a variety of habitats, but is rare on well drained soils. The native range of Loblolly Pine extends through 14 States from southern New Jersey south to central Florida and west to eastern Texas. It includes the Atlantic Plain, the Piedmont Plateau, and the southern extremities of the Cumberland Plateau, the Highland Rim, and the Valley and Ridge Provinces of the Appalachian Highlands.

Loblolly Pine is a very important timber tree.

Learn More About Loblolly Pine

	Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is probably the most familiar southern U.S. conifer. The species is most common along the coastal plains of the United States in a variety of habitats including the Everglades and the swamps of the southeast. Along the Mississippi valley the species grows along streams and around small ponds. Although the Bald Cypress is typically associated with swampy habitats, it is not limited to them. In cultivation the species does very well in parks and yards. The native range of baldcypress extends along the lower Atlantic Coastal Plain from southern Delaware to southern Florida and thence along the lower Gulf Coast Plain to southeastern Texas. Further south a distinctive population of Bald Cypress ranges throughout most of Mexico. Inland, Bald Cypress grows along the many streams of the middle and upper coastal plains and northward through the Mississippi Valley to southeastern Oklahoma, southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwestern Indiana. Botanists disagree about the number of Bald Cypress species. This site accepts a single widespread species, but others give the number at 2 or 3 more geographically limited species. Learn More About Bald Cypress
	The native range of Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) was relatively small limited to Florida and the southeastern coastal plain in regions of relatively damp soils. However because of the vigor of the species Slash Pine has been used extensively in reforestation projects and now occurs throughout the world in plantations. The species has long needles and is superficially similar to two other species of the southern U.S.; Loblolly Pine and Long-leaf Pine. Learn More About Slash Pine
	Sand Pine (Pinus clausa) occurs in central Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Sand Pine is a small species and is almost always found on sandy soils. The white in the picture on the left is not snow but white sand. Learn More About Sand Pine
	Long-leaf Pine (Pinus palustris) occurs primarily in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States in areas dominated by hot summers and moderate winters. The species occurs in a wide variety of habitats ranging from poorly drained lowlands to high, dry, and exposed mountain ridges. The natural range of Long-leaf Pine includes most of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains from southeastern Virginia to eastern Texas and south through the northern two-thirds of peninsular Florida. The species also grows in the Piedmont, Ridge and Valley, and Mountain Provinces of Alabama and northwest Georgia. Long-leaf Pine is an important tree for both lumber and pulp. Learn More About Long-Leaf Pine
	Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is an adaptable species that has been successfully planted along the periphery of its natural range and has been introduced on other continents with varying degrees of success. The species is found in a variety of habitats, but is rare on well drained soils. The native range of Loblolly Pine extends through 14 States from southern New Jersey south to central Florida and west to eastern Texas. It includes the Atlantic Plain, the Piedmont Plateau, and the southern extremities of the Cumberland Plateau, the Highland Rim, and the Valley and Ridge Provinces of the Appalachian Highlands. Loblolly Pine is a very important timber tree. Learn More About Loblolly Pine