Pinus canariensis

Pinus canariensis, the Canary Island pine, is a species of gymnosperm in the conifer family Pinaceae. It is a large, evergreen tree native and endemic to the outer Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, El Hierro and La Palma) in the Atlantic Ocean.[3] It is a subtropical pine and does not tolerate low temperatures or hard frost, surviving temperatures down to about −6 to −10 °C (21 to 14 °F). Within its natural area, it grows under extremely variable rainfall regimes, from less than 300 mm (12 in) to several thousands, mostly due to differences in mist-capturing by the foliage. Under warm conditions, this is one of the most drought-tolerant pines, living even with less than 200 mm (7.9 in) of rainfall per year. It is the vegetable symbol of the island of La Palma.[4]

Pinus canariensis
Canary Island pine
Canary Island pines in Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
(unranked): Gymnosperms
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pinus
Subgenus: P. subg. Pinus
Section: P. sect. Pinus
Subsection: Pinus subsect. Pinaster
Species:
P. canariensis
Binomial name
Pinus canariensis

Description

Pinus canariensis is a large evergreen tree, growing to 30–40 m (98–131 ft) tall and 100–120 cm (39–47 in) trunk diameter (dbh), exceptionally up to 60 m (200 ft) tall and 265 cm (104 in) diameter.[3] The green to yellow-green leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) long,[3] with finely toothed margins and often drooping. A characteristic of the species is the occurrence of glaucous (bluish-green) epicormic shoots growing from the lower trunk, but in its natural area this only occurs as a consequence of fire or other damage. This pine is one of the most fire-resistant conifers in the world. The cones are 10–18 cm (3.9–7.1 in) long, 5 cm (2.0 in) wide,[3] glossy chestnut-brown in colour and frequently remaining closed for several years (serotinous cones). Its closest relatives are the Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) from the Himalaya, the Mediterranean pines Pinus pinea, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinaster and Pinus brutia from the eastern Mediterranean.

Taxonomy

Pinus canariensis was first described in 1825 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, who attributed the name to Christen Smith.[2][5] It has been placed in subsection Pinaster of subgenus Pinus, section Pinus. The other species in the subsection are mainly Mediterranean in distribution, with one species (P. roxburghii) from the Himalayas.[6]

Fossil record

Fossils of Pinus canariensis have been described from the fossil flora of Kızılcahamam district in Turkey which is of early Pliocene age.[7]

Distribution

The native range has been somewhat reduced due to over-cutting so that only the islands of Tenerife, La Palma and Gran Canaria still have large forests. Really big trees are still rare due to past over-cutting.[1] It is the tallest tree in the Canary Islands.

Cultivation and uses

The tree's extremely long needles make a significant contribution to the islands' water supply, trapping large amounts of condensation from the moist air coming off the Atlantic with the prevailing north eastern wind (locally called "alisios"). The condensation then drops to the ground and is quickly absorbed by the soil, eventually percolating down to the underground aquifers.

The aromatic wood, especially the heartwood, is among the finest of pine woods - hard, strong and durable.

In mainland Spain, South Africa, Sicily and Australia, it has become a naturalized species from original landscape uses.

Pinus canariensis is a popular ornamental tree in warmer climates, such as in private gardens, public landscapes, and as street trees in California.

  • In natural habitat on Canary Islands
  • Trunk
  • Epicormic shoots
  • Immature male cone of a Pinus canariensis in Gran Canaria
  • Mature opened female cone
  • Figure on timber
  • Fire-resistant trunk
  • Vilaflor, Tenerife
  • Tenerife south
  • Pinus canariensis, Santa Cruz
  • Pinus canariensis forest, La Palma
  • Pinus canariensis Caldera de Taburiente
  • Tenerife
  • Gran Canaria
  • Male cones of Pinus canariensis photographed in Temecula, CA, USA
  • Ayacata, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
  • seedling in La Talleta, Tenerife, Canary Islands

See also

References
  1. Thomas, P. (2017). "Pinus canariensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T39603A84061236. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T39603A84061236.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "Pinus canariensis C.Sm. ex DC.". The International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  3. C.A.B. International (4 April 2002). Pines of Silvicultural Importance: Compiled from the Forestry Compendium, CAB International. CABI. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-85199-539-7.
  4. "Símbolos de la naturaleza para las Islas Canarias" [Natural Symbols for the Canary Islands]. Ley No. 7/1991 of 30 April 1991 (in Spanish). Vol. 151. pp. 20946–20497 – via BOE.
  5. "Pinus canariensis C. Sm. ex DC.". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  6. Gernandt, D. S.; López, G. G.; García, S. O.; Liston, A. (2005). "Phylogeny and classification of Pinus". Taxon. 54 (1): 29–42. doi:10.2307/25065300. JSTOR 25065300.
  7. Kasaplıgil, Baki (1977). "Ankara, Kızılcahamam yakınındaki Güvem köyü civarında bulunan son tersiyer kozalaklı-yeşil yapraklı ormanı" [A Late-Tertiary Conifer-Hardwood Forest From the Vicinity of Güvem Village, Near Kızılcahamam, Ankara] (PDF). Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration (in Turkish and English). Ankara: General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration. 88: 94–102.
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