Maritime pine has 5 major races. The highly variable French or Atlantic race typically inhabits coastal sands. The Portuguese race also inhabits coastal sands, but surpasses the French race in tree form, growth rate, and drought resistance. It grew well in tests in South Africa and western Australia and appears to have dormant seeds (Hopkins 1960; Wright 1962). The Iberian Mountains race is continental and slow growing (Resch 1974).