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Pinus wallichiana
A.B.Jacks.
Bhutan Pine
Pinaceae
Pinus wallichiana is a coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is native to mountainous areas of South Asia, and is commonly grown as an ornamental.
Description
Pinus wallichiana is a tall tree that grows up to 70 m, with a trunk that grows up to 1 m in diameter at breast height. The tree takes up a broadly pyramidal form with age. Leaves are slender and drooping, 11 to 18 cm long and 1 mm thick in bundles of 5. They are dark green with pale bands (which are stomata), and are triangular in cross section. Buds are roughly cylindrical, reddish brown, and slightly resinous. The bark is dark grayish brown, scaly and flaky. Seed cones are long and curved, 10 to 30 cm long and 3 to 4 cm wide (5 to 9 cm wide when open), cylindrical, hanging from a stalk that is 2.5 to 4 cm long. Seed scales are obovate, 3 to 5 cm and 2 to 3 cm at the middle of the cone, and curved inward at the tip. These cones ripen in the autumn after 2 years. Seeds are about 3 to 9 mm by 4 to 5 mm, brown or dark brown, egg-shaped, with a 1 to 3 cm by 8 to 9 mm wing (Wu et al. 1999).
Variety parva has been described from southeastern Tibet but is poorly known, where it grows in temperate rainforests with Rhododendron at around 3000 m. It reportedly has needles that are mostly shorter than 11 cm, seed cones that are straight and smaller, at 10 cm, as well as smaller (only 3 mm) seeds and shorter (10 mm long) wings (Wu et al. 1999).
Variety parva has been described from southeastern Tibet but is poorly known, where it grows in temperate rainforests with Rhododendron at around 3000 m. It reportedly has needles that are mostly shorter than 11 cm, seed cones that are straight and smaller, at 10 cm, as well as smaller (only 3 mm) seeds and shorter (10 mm long) wings (Wu et al. 1999).
Uses
​Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Pinus wallichiana is grown as an ornamental and is similar to Pinus strobus. It prefers acidic, moist but well-drained, and sandy soils in full sun. It grows in USDA zones 5 to 7 (MBG). Its wood is also used for construction, furniture, and turpentine (Wu et al. 1999).
Distribution
Pinus wallichiana is found in mountains and temperate rainforests at an altitude of 1600 to 3300 m. It is native to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, northern India including Sikkim, Nepal, the Chinese provinces of Tibet and Yunnan, Bhutan, and Myanmar (Wu et al. 1999)
Status
Pinus wallichiana is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", as the species has a very wide range and has no significant threats, except for potential over-exploitation (Farjon 2013).
References
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Pinus wallichiana. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jul 3]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285047
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus wallichiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42427A2979371.en.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Farjon, A. 2013. Pinus wallichiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42427A2979371.en.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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