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Key of gymnosperms
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1. Leaves scale-like, female
cones small, fleshy, and bluish, typically found in limestone soils: Juniperus
virginiana
1. Leaves needle-like, female
cones large and woody: go to 2
2. Needles
twisted and in bundles of two, 4 to 8 cm long, cones egg-shaped with small
prickles, usually occurs naturally: Pinus
virginiana
(Virginia pine)
2. Needles not twisted, typically planted in developed areas: go
to 3
3. Needles in
bundles of five, 5 to 10 cm long, rows of stomata causes some sides of needles to appear
whitish, cones loose with little or no prickle at the end of the scales: Pinus
strobus
3. Needles in bundles of three
or sometimes two, 12 to 25 cm long, cones stout with a sharp prickle at the ends
of the scales: Pinus
taeda (loblolly pine)
.