Pinus hwangshanensis

Pinus hwangshanensis,[1] or Huangshan pine, is a species of pine endemic to the mountains of eastern China; it is named after the Huangshan Mountains in Anhui, from where it was first described.

Huangshan pine
Huangshan pines on the Huangshan Mountains, Anhui
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnosperms
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Subgenus: P. subg. Pinus
Section: P. sect. Pinus
Subsection: P. subsect. Pinus
Species:
P. hwangshanensis
Binomial name
Pinus hwangshanensis
W.Y.Hsia
Synonyms[2]
  • Pinus luchuensis subsp. hwangshanensis (W.Y.Hsia) D.Z.Li
  • Pinus luchuensis var. hwangshanensis (W.Y.Hsia) C.L.Wu
  • Pinus luchuensis var. shenkanensis Silba

Description

Pinus hwangshanensis is an evergreen tree reaching 15–25 metres (49–82 feet) in height, with a very broad, flat-topped crown of long, level branches. The bark is thick, grayish, and scaly plated. The leaves are needle-like, dark green, 2 per fascicle, 5–8 centimetres (2–3+1⁄4 inches) long and 0.8–1 millimetre (1⁄32–3⁄64 in) wide, the persistent fascicle sheath 1 cm (1⁄2 in) long. The cones are broad squat ovoid, 4–6.5 cm (1+1⁄2–2+1⁄2 in) long, yellow-brown, opening when mature in late winter to 5–7 cm broad. The seeds are winged, 5–6 mm (3⁄16–1⁄4 in) long with a 1.5–2.5 cm wing. Pollination occurs in mid-spring, with the cones maturing 18–20 months after.

It is closely related to Japanese black pine (P. thunbergii), differing from it in the slenderer leaves, brown (not white) buds and broader cones.

Distribution and habitat

Huangshan pines are endemic to the mountains of eastern China, in the provinces of Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang.

They typically grow at moderate to high altitudes on steep, rocky crags, and are a major vegetation component in the landscapes of eastern China. Many specimens are venerated for their unique rugged shapes and are frequently portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings.

References
  1. Farjon, A. (2013). "Pinus hwangshanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T42370A2975804. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42370A2975804.en.
  2. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
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