Pine (Pinus)🌲

The collective name for evergreen conifers in genus Pinus, pine family. About 100 species across temperate and subarctic Northern Hemisphere; 6 species native to Japan (red pine, black pine, five-needle pine, creeping pine, Ryukyu pine, and Korean pine). Characterised by long needle-like leaves in bundles of 2 or 5 held by a basal sheath. In Japan, pine is the foremost of the 'shōchikubai' auspicious trio and is indispensable in gardens, bonsai, and New Year decorations. Pine nuts are edible; timber and firewood are also important uses.

Identification Points

• ✓Needle-like leaves bundled in 2s or 5s
• ✓Bears cones ('pine cones')
• ✓Bark scaly or fissured in plates

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionマツ科 →