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Pinus morrisonicola
Hayata
Taiwan White Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus morrisonicola is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae, often considered a part of Pinus parviflora. It is endemic to Taiwan.
Description
Pinus morrisonicola is a small tree that grows up to 25 or 30 m with a trunk that can grow up to 1 or 1.5 m in diameter. The tree forms a conical crown when young that becomes cylindrical and opening up with age. Branches are short, slender and go out horizontally, with needles near the tips. Needles are stiff, slightly curved, typically 6 to 9 cm long in bundles of 5. They are dark green on the outer side with waxy whitish bands (which are stomata) on the inner sides of the needles, and persist on the tree for 3 to 4 years. The sheaths are about 0.5 to 1.5 cm long and are not persistent. Buds are about 5 mm long and are only slight resinous at most. The bark is dark gray to brown, flaking and scaly, becoming narrowly ridged and furrowed with age. Twigs are reddish brown, and hairy for only a short time. Male cones are very small, only 5 to 6 mm long, and reddish brown. Seed cones are typically 7 to 10 cm long, cylindrical when closed, egg-shaped when open, and hanging from a 0.5 to 1 cm long stalk. They are green, ripening to yellowish, reddish, or dark brown and have angularly egg-shaped, thin and flexible seeds. These cones stay on the tree after releasing their seeds. Seeds are typically 8 to 10 mm wide, pale to dark brown, with a wing that is about 12 to 15 mm long (Eckenwalder 2009).
Pinus morrisonicola is very similar to and often considered a variety of Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora). It differs from that species in having reddish brown branchlets, and the needles, cones, and seed wings averaging slightly longer (Eckenwalder 2009).
Pinus morrisonicola is very similar to and often considered a variety of Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora). It differs from that species in having reddish brown branchlets, and the needles, cones, and seed wings averaging slightly longer (Eckenwalder 2009).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus morrisonicola is a minor timber tree in Taiwan, and is also used in bonsai. In both cases, it has similar properties to the related and more common Pinus parviflora (Thomas and Luscombe 2013).
Distribution
Pinus morrisonicola is found on mountain slopes in the central mountains of Taiwan, at altitudes between 300 and 2300 m (Thomas and Luscombe 2013).
Status
Pinus morrisonicola is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Near Threatened". Its range is quite small. Although there may have been some deforestation in the past, there does not appear to be much decline (Thomas and Luscombe 2013).
References
Eckenwalder, J. E. 2009. Conifers of the world: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press.
Thomas, P., and Luscombe, D. 2013. Pinus morrisonicola. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42384A2976679.en
Thomas, P., and Luscombe, D. 2013. Pinus morrisonicola. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42384A2976679.en
Description
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