Hello folks, Any knowledge on what these pine cones are likely to be? Fallen from same tree, on Vancouver's North Shore, growing at approx. 100m elevation.
Unless I don't understand just how near the montane zone comes there these must have come from a planted example. In which case the possibilities become more numerous - would be great if you could show close ups of shoots and leaves, as well as provide a habit photo.
Approx speaking, this is below the Upper Levels aka Hwy 1? it’s beautiful I have a neighbor with a young version of this plant I like the vintage illustration art in this wiki article sciadopitys verticillata - Google Search
Thank you folks! And apologies for posting in the native plant thread: I thought I was looking at a native! (I have much to learn.) For interest, yes it's a planted specimen (two in fact), south of Hwy 1 on the North Shore, in a private garden recently sold. Some further details in photos taken today.
It's not always even clear to me as a moderator where some of the posts belong, as there is often more than one reasonable option. I encourage you to consider that our problem and not yours - just make your best guess. It's easy for us to move stuff. For the record, I think I'm the only person who saw this in the native plant forum area, and I moved it right after approving it (if I remember correctly). No-one else even knew. :)
So beautiful and so vulnerable! I wonder if the new owners realize what a treasure they have bought along with the house. Would you @fiona Atkins be willing to tell them?
Ok, will do. There are two of them, growing side by side. They are very beautiful indeed. I will read up on Sciadopitys verticillata for my new stewardship role! Thanks so much folks.
Because some of the people who hang out here are very very knowledgeable. That was not a requirement for my being a moderator, however. I'm going to turn the question around on you, @Fiona Akins. Were you testing us? If you thought that would not be possible, did you think you'd be limited to how many photos you could post? The limit within one post is 20, but you can always follow up with another posting. So we'll be happy to help with other IDs (in their own new threads - start in Plants: Identification, and if there is a better place, we'll move it), and give us as much info as you've got. I will say, for the cones, your photos were very good, clear with the dimensions shown.
Sciadopitys cones are very distinctive - it's the only species in its own family, no close relatives. Its most recent common ancestor with its nearest relatives (cypresses, yews, etc) was about 240 million years ago - the same time as the first dinosaurs. It's been on its own since then. It really is unique.