It was a lovely day at Magnolia Springs State Park where we decided to get away from daily life at our Savannah apartment. Walking along familiar a path along the Beaver Trail I spotted this new flower growing in an area we had enjoyed mid March on a previous visit. Fragrant, round flower clusters received constant attention from busy bees. Later I learned it attracts butterflies as well.
“Longleaf pine, is found in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from southeastern Virginia to central Florida and west to eastern Texas, and in the Piedmont region and Valley and Ridge province of Georgia and Alabama.” Facts about Long Leaf.
Magnolia Springs State Park, Millen, Georgia
After reading “The Ecology of A Cracker Childhood” by Janisse Ray, (Great book! I recommend it!), I began to notice these magnificent trees were all around Georgia, not just in the state parks.
“Longleaf Pine, reaches a height of 98–115 ft and a diameter of 28 in. Longleaf Pine takes 100 to 150 years to become full size and may live to 500 years old.” [https://www.augustaga.gov/1645/Longleaf-Pine]
Its leaves or needles grow 10 to 18 inches long, in crowded clusters of 3 to a sheath; cones are 6 to 10 inches long and dull brown.
