5 – Pinus roxburghii Sarg

Pinus roxburghii Sarg.

Himalayan longleaf pine

Scientific name: Pinus roxburghii Sarg.
Family: Pinaceae

Origin: Pakistan, India and Nepal

Year planted: Beginnings of the garden, before 1930

Flowering: February – April

Description

This type of pine are large trees: they can reach 55 meters in height and have a crown of up to 12 meters wide. They have needle-like leaves – they look like thin , pointed needles. They are thin, flexible and reddish brown. They are grouped 3 by 3, and this differentiates them from the pines of the Iberian Peninsula, where the leaves are grouped 2 by 2.

The flowers are born in groups (inflorescence). The same tree can have male and female inflorescences. The male ones are yellowish brown and usually grow at the ends of the branches. The female flowers are pine cones, bright brown or greyish. From these pine cones come edible pine nuts.

Marimurtra’s specimens

You will find 2 adult specimens of this type of pine in Marimurtra: one exceeds 14 meters in height and 7 meters in width. It is not known in what year it was planted, but based on its measurements it is estimated that it was when the garden was built.

Did you know…?

In Nepal it is a highly valued tree for its wood, to make furniture or houses. After a fire, the wood of larger trees turns to a bright, reddish color because the resin inside crystallizes. This species is very similar to the Canary Island pine: both have leaves grouped 3 by

Threat level (UICN)

Main uses

Raunkiaer Life Forms