Family: Pinaceae
Author: Douglas
Bibliography: Trans. Linn. Soc. London 15: 500 (1827)
Year: 1827
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Pinus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Oregon to Mexico (N. Baja California)
Description
The Sugar Pine, scientifically known as Pinus lambertiana, is a majestic and towering species belonging to the Pinaceae family. This remarkable conifer was first documented by David Douglas, earning its official description in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London in 1827.
Renowned for its impressive stature, the Sugar Pine holds the distinction of being one of the tallest and most grandiose pine trees. Its native range extends from the lush evergreen forests of Oregon down through the diverse landscapes of California, reaching as far south as Northern Baja California in Mexico. This extensive distribution allows the Sugar Pine to thrive in a variety of climates and elevations, adapting to diverse ecological niches.
The Sugar Pine is characterized by its extraordinarily long cones, which can measure up to 26 inches (66 cm) in length, making them the longest cones among all pine species. These cones hang downward and, when matured, release seeds that provide essential nourishment to various wildlife, including birds and small mammals. Additionally, the seeds have been historically significant as a food source for indigenous peoples.
A distinct feature of the Sugar Pine is its bark, which is rough and deeply furrowed, providing a rugged yet quintessentially picturesque appearance. The bark varies in color from a light, silvery gray in younger trees to a darker, reddish-brown hue as the tree matures. Its needles are grouped in bundles of five and are slender, flexible, and typically bluish-green, contributing to the tree’s graceful and delicate foliage.
The timber of the Sugar Pine is highly valued for its fine grain and workability, making it a preferred choice for various woodworking projects, including furniture making, musical instruments, and construction. Beyond its economic value, the tree holds ecological significance, playing a critical role in forest ecosystems by supporting a wide range of flora and fauna.
In summary, the Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana) is not only a botanical marvel due to its impressive size and distinctive characteristics but also an important ecological and economic resource within its native range. Its towering presence and graceful appearance make it a symbol of the rugged beauty and biological richness of the forests along the western coast of North America.
Common Names
Eng: california sugar pine, sugar pine
Hun: cukorfenyo
Ita: pino di lambert
Deu: riesen-kiefer, zucker-kiefer, zuckerkiefer
Nld: suikerden
Fra: pin de lambert, pin géant, pin à sucre
Spa: pino de azúcar, pino dulce
Swe: sockertall
Rus: сосна ламберта (sosna lamberta)
Zho: 糖松 (tang song)
Nno: sukkerfuru
Nob: sukkerfuru
En: Sugar pine, California sugar pine
Az: Lambert şamı
Bg: Ламбертов бор
Zh: 兰伯氏松, 糖松 (tang song)
Cs: Borovice Lambertova
Nl: Suikerden
Et: Suhkrumänd
Fi: Sokerimänty
Fr: Pin à sucre, Pin de Lambert, Pin géant
De: Zuckerkiefer, Zucker-Kiefer, Riesen-Kiefer
El: Πεύκη η λαμπερτιανή
He: אורן הסוכר
Hu: Cukorfenyo
Is: Sykurfura
It: Pino di Lambert
Ja: Nagami-matsu
Kv: Ламберт пожум
Lt: Saldžioji pušis
No: Sukkerfuru
Nb: Sukkerfuru
Nn: Sukkerfuru
Fa: کاج قندی
Pl: Sosna Lamberta
Ru: Сосна Ламберта, Сосна Ламберта (sosna Lamberta)
Es: Pino de azúcar, Pino dulce
Sv: Sockertall
Zh-hant: 蘭伯氏鬆
Uk: Сосна Ламберта
Vi: Thông Lamberta
Synonyms
- Pinus lambertiana subsp. martirensis ((Silba) Silba)
- Pinus lambertiana var. minor (Lemmon)
- Pinus lambertiana var. purpurea (Lemmon)
- Picea lambertiana ((Douglas) F.Sanders)
- Strobus lambertiana ((Douglas) Moldenke)
- Pinus lambertiana var. martirensis (Silba)
Distribution
- California (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Nevada (native)
- Oregon (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Oct 15, 1998 by EOL − Charles Webber (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Viaggiatore Solitario (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (public)
Taken Jan 19, 2020 by Brad Brad (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2020 by Fernández Marta (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 25, 2022 by Страхил Иванов (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 16, 2022 by Jesús Ortiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2015 by EOL − Liam O’Brien (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 5, 2020 by Karlheinz Roch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2015 by EOL − amyjaeckerjones (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 25, 2019 by Terri Terri (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 16, 2015 by EOL − R.J. Adams (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 19, 2011 by EOL − Wynn Anderson (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Niehaus, T.F. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 27, 2015 by EOL − mhultgren (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 20, 2020 by Gertraud Hart (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Michael Finch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2022 by umberto campanelli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2013 by EOL − Shane Jordan (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 24, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Richard Sniezko, US Forest Service Dorena Genetic Resource Center (public)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5284989)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:197001-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pinus lambertiana Douglas)
Specifications
Growth form>: Single Stem
Growth habit>: Tree
Growth rate>: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 5.6
