Mountain pine (Pinus uncinata, J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 3: 726 (1805))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: Ramond ex DC.

Bibliography: J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 3: 726 (1805)

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pinus

Vegetable: False

Observations: European Mts.

Description

The Mountain Pine, scientifically known as Pinus uncinata, is a remarkable species that enriches the diverse flora of the European mountain ranges. This distinct pine is a member of the Pinaceae family, which encompasses a variety of coniferous trees renowned for their hardiness and ecological significance.

Pinus uncinata was first described in detail by eminent botanists J.B.A.M.de Lamarck and A.P.de Candolle in their third edition of “Flore Française” published in 1805. The formal authorship is attributed to Ramond ex DC., highlighting the collaborative efforts in botanical classification during that period.

Mountain Pines are especially adapted to thrive in the challenging conditions of high altitudinal environments. These areas are characterized by cooler temperatures, higher winds, and often more acidic soils in comparison to their lowland counterparts. This adaptive capability underscores the Mountain Pine’s resilience and its ecological importance in stabilizing soils and supporting the biodiversity in its native habitats. Observations of this species predominantly span the European mountainous regions, such as the Pyrenees, Alps, and the Carpathians.

The tree typically exhibits a robust, conical form with needles grouped in pairs, creating a dense, evergreen foliage that is both visually striking and functionally adept at conserving water — a valuable trait for survival in its mountainous habitat. The cones of the Mountain Pine are uniquely curved, which is reflected in the epithet “uncinata,” derived from the Latin word for hook-shaped, indicating the distinctive morphology of its cones.

In conclusion, the Mountain Pine (Pinus uncinata) stands as a vital component of the montane ecosystems within Europe. Its well-documented history and ecological role continue to make it a subject of interest for botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: aufrechte bergföhre, hakenkiefer
Hun: kampósfenyo
Eng: mountain pine
Nld: opgaande bergden
Ita: pino uncinato
Fra: pin de briançon, pin à crochets
Spa: pino moro, pino negro
En: Mountain pine
Eu: Mendi-pinu
Ca: Pi negre
Cs: Borovice zobanitá, Borovice pyrenejská
Nl: Opgaande bergden
Et: Konksmänd
Fi: Puualppimänty
Fr: Pin à crochets, Pin de Briançon
De: Aufrechte Bergkiefer, Aufrechte Bergföhre, Hakenkiefer
El: Ορεινή μαύρη πεύκη
Hu: Kampósfenyo
It: Pino uncinato
Pl: Sosna hakowata
Ru: Сосна крючковатая
Sk: Borovica pyrenejská
Es: Pino Negro, Pino moro

Synonyms

• Pinus mugo var. uncinata ((Ramond ex DC.) Fiori)
• Pinus mughus var. uncinata ((Ramond ex DC.) K.Koch)
• Pinus montana var. uncinata ((Ramond ex DC.) Heer)
• Pinus mugo subsp. uncinata ((Ramond ex DC.) Domin)
• Pinus montana subsp. uncinata ((Ramond ex DC.) Čelak.)
• Pinus sylvestris var. uncinata ((Ramond ex DC.) Loudon)
• Pinus pumilio var. uncinata ((Ramond ex DC.) Carrière)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2020 by Gilbert Jeanguyot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Someone Mathieu (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Someone Mathieu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Lison Vu (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Someone Mathieu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Lison Vu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Lison Vu (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 14, 1981 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Aug 3, 2006 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Aug 3, 2006 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 3, 2006 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5285332)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:263396-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pinus uncinata Ramond ex DC.)

Specifications

Growth