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Pinus bungeana
Zucc. ex Endl.
Lacebark Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus bungeana is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to mountainous areas of central to western China, and is widely cultivated for its distinctive bark.
Description
Pinus bungeana is a tree that grows up to 20 to 30 m with a trunk that can grow up to 1.2 m in diameter. The tree forms a dense, conical crown, becoming broadly flat-topped and irregular. Branches are long, slender, and point up, with foliage clustered near the tips. Needles are stiff and straight, 5 to 10 cm long in bundles of 3. They are dark to yellowish green with pale bands (which are stomata) on all of the needles, and persist on the tree for 4 to 5 years. The sheaths are about 1 to 2 cm long, and are not persistent. Buds are about 6 to 10 mm long and are slightly resinous at most. The distinctive bark flakes in multicolored patches when young, but eventually flakes off to become a smooth white. Twigs are grayish green, hairless, and shiny. Pollen cones are 6 to 15 mm long, yellowish brown. Seed cones are typically 4.5 to 6 cm long, egg-shaped and flat at the base, and unstalked or with a short stalk up to 1 cm long. They are light green, ripening to yellowish brown and have about 30 to 50 scales. Scales are thin and woody, with a roughly rhombus-shaped face containing a diamond-shaped umbo with a short, stout prickle. These cones open to release their seeds, then fall after a year or two. Seeds are 7 to 12 mm wide, with an easily detachable wing that is about 2 to 5 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus bungeana is often cultivated, but less so in the west than in northern China, where many old specimens are found near temples and on public ground (Eckenwalder 2009). It grows in average, well-drained soils with medium moisture and full sun, and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8 (MBG). Minor uses include its timber, which is used in poles, fences, boxes, and furniture, as well as its edible seeds, which are collected as pine nuts and used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat respiratory problems (Luscombe 2013).
Distribution
Pinus bungeana is not very common throughout its range. It is found mixed with other conifers and broad-leaved plants in well-drained, rocky soils, in the mountains of central China, around the Yellow River Basin (Eckenwalder 2009). It is native to China, specifically Beijing, western Shandong, southern Hebei, western Henan, western Hubei, Shaanxi, western Shandong, southern Gansu, and northern Sichuan (Luscombe 2013).
Status
Pinus bungeana is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", as the species has a wide range and no significant threats, except for potential over-exploitation (Luscombe 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Luscombe, D. 2013. Pinus bungeana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T39602A2930000.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus bungeana. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jul 16]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=x810
Luscombe, D. 2013. Pinus bungeana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T39602A2930000.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus bungeana. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jul 16]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=x810
Description
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