Pinus banksiana
 
Jack Pine

Pollen Cones

Hudson Bay Regional Park
13-June-2019

The proximal needles have been removed form this specimen to more clearly illustrate the pollen cones.  Note the pollen cones are shed annually after the pollen is released.

The key answers below are taken from Conifers & Catkin-Bearing Trees and Shrubs of Saskatchewan by George Argus, Vernon Harms, Anna Leighton, and Mary Vetter.  This book is published jointly by Flora of Saskatchewan Association and Nature Saskatchewan.

bullet

Banksiana: Answers to key questions leading to this species. 
bullet

Seed cones usually in pairs or sometimes whorled, curved forward on branches, lanceoloid before opening, ovoid when open; apophysis generally flat or depressed (or enlarged on one side toward outer cone base); umbo unarmed or with minute reflexed prickle; central and northern Saskatchewan.  NOT [Seed cones solitary or in pairs, spreading to recurved on branches, lanceoloid to ovoid before opening, broadly ovoid to nearly globose when open; apophysis +/- raised and those on mid to lower scales mostly much domed, rhombic and cross-keeled; umbo mostly armed with a stubby or slender prickle to 6 mm long; Cypress Hills.]

 

bullet

Pinus: Answers to key questions leading to this genus. 
bullet

Needles on year-old and older branches borne either in groups (fascicles) of 2 with each fascicle scaly-sheathed at base at least when young, or in clusters of 12-25 on short shoots with clusters not scaly sheathed.  NOT [Needles borne singly along branches, not in fascicles scaly-sheathed at base or on short shoots.]

bullet

Needles in fascicles of 2 on dwarf shoots, evergreen; scales of seed cones with thickened apical portion (apophysis) bearing terminal or central, scar-like to raised umbo and often a prickle or hook.  NOT [Needles in clusters of 12-25 on short shoots, deciduous; scales of seed cones without apophyses, umbos, and prickle.]

 

bullet

Pinaceae: Answers to key questions leading to this family. 
bullet

Leaves needle-like, alternate or fascicled/clustered, shed individually from branchlets (usually shed as fascicles in Pinus); seed cone scales imbricate; seed cones dry; seeds adaxial and 2 per scale.  NOT [Leaves needle-like or scale-like, alternate, opposite or whorled, persistent on shoots, shedding with branchlets with age; seed cone scales fused or imbricate; seed cones berry-like (Juniperus) or dry (Thuja); seeds adaxial or terminal and 1-20 per scale.]