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Pinus canariensis
C.Sm. ex DC.
Canary Island Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus canariensis is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to the western Canary Islands.
Description
Pinus canariensis is a medium-sized to tall tree, growing up to 30 to 40 m tall with a trunk that grows up to 2 m wide. It forms a conical crown that becomes more open and flat-topped with age. Branches are are upright at first, becoming drooping. Needles are long, flexible and drooping, around 20 to 30 cm in bundles of 3. They are bright to dark green with narrow bands (which are stomata) on all three sides of the leaves, and they persist on the tree for 2 to 3 years. Sheaths are 10 to 20 mm long, and are persistent. Buds are 15 to 20 mm long, and are not resinous. The bark is reddish brown but gray on the inside, thick, furrowed with small scaly plates. Twigs are yellowish brown and are hairless. Pollen cones are around 15 to 25 mm, yellow with a purple tinge. Seed cones are around 10 to 17 cm long, conical, and 5 to 20 mm long. They are green, ripening to shiny light brown. Cones have 75 to 120 scales that are long and diamond-shaped; the exposed face has a diamond-shaped pyramid and sometimes a small prickle. These cones open widely to release their seeds and fall from the tree. Seeds are around 9 to 12 mm long, with a non-detachable wing that is 12 to 25 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
In the Canary Islands, Pinus canariensis was formerly cut down for timber, but now its main use is ecological. The belt of P. canariensis forest is extremely important in retaining rainfall so that the islands have water supplies (Thomas 2017).
Distribution
Pinus canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands. It grows in woods on volcanic soil, at an altitude of 1200 to 2200 m. It is found on five of the islands: El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria (Thomas 2017).
Status
Pinus canariensis is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern". Although the species was extensively cut down for timber in the past, this is now strictly prohibited. Coastal pine forests are important for protecting the volcanic rock from erosion. However, climate change is making droughts longer and worse, which is a likely threat to this species. Urban development is another threat as well (Thomas 2017).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Thomas, P. 2017. Pinus canariensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T39603A84061236.en.
Thomas, P. 2017. Pinus canariensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T39603A84061236.en.
Description
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