Long-leaf Pine growth bud

Description:

A "grass-stage" seedling of Long-leaf Pine, about 12" tall. The silvery bud in the middle is the growth bud.

Habitat:

Upland Pine Sandhill, Wekiva State Park, Apopka, Florida.

Notes:

As can be seen in the background, the area was subjected to a prescribed burn less than 24 hours before. The Long Leaf Pines are remarkably adapted to survive fire in all stages of their growth. As seedlings , the sensitive terminal growth bud is covered in a high-water-content wax. It is also surrounded by the luxuriously long needles...often 14" long! As the low ground fire burns, it creates upward heat convection, which pushes these long needles up around the bud. The bud's waxy coating also evaporates, cooling the bud. THUS, the tender and sensitive growth region is protected. Indeed, it requires fire to be healthy, since the competing woody undrgrowth (vines, oaks, invasives) are burnt. I will be documenting the recovery of this area after the burn over the next 6 weeks, so stay tuned. (I am excited, can't you tell?!?) An absolutely AMAZING tree. It's rapidly becoming my favorite.