Sunday, May 2, 2010

Pinus thunbergii - Japanese Black Pine

Pinus thunbergii: Pinus is the Latin name for P. pinea; thunbergii, named for Carl Peter Thunberg, botanist and student of Linnaeus.

P. thunbergii is common to Japanese gardens where it is often heavily pruned to keep it small. In its native habitat, it can grow up to 100' tall. The trunk is often leaning. Bark is dark brown to blackish, deeply furrowed with rough, scaly ridges.

Sharp and stiff needles in fascicles of 2 are held upright.

Female are cones are relatively small (1.5-3").

Common bonsai specimen, takes pruning well.

1 comment: