Species: Pinus halepensis Mill.

(Pinus halepensis Mill.)
-> Genus: Pinus -> Family: Pinaceae -> Group: Gymnosperms

Habitus

  • tree growing to a height of 10-20 m with a wide conical to spreading crown
  • under the influence of the wind the trunks are often misshapen, crooked, twisted
  • bark relatively smooth, light grey-brown
  • bark rather deeply split longitudinally, grey-brown to reddish-brown

Leaves (assimilation organs)

  • assimilation organs needle-like
  • needles grow two at a time on brachyblasts !
  • needles are light green, fine, 5 - 10 (-12) cm long

Flowers

  • wood monoecious, flowers unisexual, cone-shaped (similar to other pines)
  • blooms in late spring to early summer

Fruits – seeds

  • the fruit is a cone, narrowly conical, yellow-brown to reddish-brown, 5 - 15 x 4 cm in size
  • the cone grows on prominent, downwardly bent, 1 - 2 cm long, rather thick stalks (an important distinguishing feature)
  • the labels of the seed scales are flat and mostly smooth
  • the cones ripen in the second year and open in the spring of the third year
  • the cones remain on the tree for several years and gradually turn gray
  • the seed is dark brown, 4 - 7 mm large, the wing is membranous, light brown 2 - 2.5 cm long.

Extension

  • dry hillsides in the Mediterranean region
  • one of the most widespread pines in the Mediterranean region

Ecology

  •  undemanding heat-loving species
  • drought-resistant, grows well on dry limestone substrates
  • does not tolerate frost

Significance

  • used in afforestation of extreme habitats
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