Pinus contorta
Beach pine
(c) John Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Brew · licence
Family: Pinaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Pinus contorta (Beach pine) is a native California tree in the Pinaceae family, recognized by encompasses multiple subspecies.
Beach pine is a California native shrub found in coastal regions in maritime environments. Producing small brown seed cones 2 to 6 centimeters long that hang pendulously, this pine has distinctive thin, scaly bark that develops with age. Growing with complex branching patterns, its stems can range from low shrubs to small trees up to 34 meters tall. Its needles grow in paired bundles, each needle 2.5 to 8.6 centimeters long with persistent sheaths that add texture to its branches. The tree's uniquely angled cone scale tips and small prickles less than 6 millimeters long contribute to its characteristic appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; encompasses multiple subspecies
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Madera, Del Norte, Mendocino, San Bernardino, Humboldt, Inyo, Butte, Plumas, Fresno, Alpine, Siskiyou, Sierra, Tulare, Tuolumne, Alameda, Shasta, Lassen, Placer, Trinity, Nevada, Mono, Sacramento, Riverside, Tehama, El Dorado, Orange
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudotsuga: Pine needles come bundled in groups with papery sheaths; Douglas-fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs.; vs Abies: Pine needles come bundled in groups of 2-5; fir needles attach individually and directly to twigs.; vs Sequoia: Pine has bundled needles in groups of 2-5; redwood has individual scale-like or awl-shaped leaves on flat sprays.; vs Casuarina: Pine has true needles bundled in groups; Casuarina has jointed branchlets with whorls of tiny scale leaves.; vs Cedrus: Pine needles are bundled in tight clusters of 2-5; cedar needles grow in dense rosette-like clusters on short shoots.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pinus contorta native to California?
Yes. Pinus contorta is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Pinus contorta grow?
Pinus contorta occurs in Los Angeles, Madera, Del Norte, Mendocino, San Bernardino, Humboldt, Inyo, Butte and other counties.
What plant family does Pinus contorta belong to?
Pinus contorta is in the Pinaceae family, genus Pinus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.