Pinus

Pines of Mexico

Pine classification

Classification with taxonomic authorities

Pinus L. is the largest genus of Pinaceae, with approximately 110 to 115 species (Price et al. 1998; Farjon 2005). Species diversity is highest in Mexico, East Asia, the western United States (principally California), and the southeastern United States. The monophyly of Pinus is well supported by traditional synapomorphies including a specialized shoot dimorphism that gives rise to needles arranged in fascicles, and woody ovulate cone scales with a specialized umbo and apophysis complex resulting from maturation over two (or three) growing seasons. The genus is divided into two subgenera that are separated by the presence of either one vascular bundle in the leaf (subgenus Strobus) or two (subgenus Pinus).

Pinus banksiana branch showing needles arranged in fascicles.

Cross section of needle (P. pseudostrobus, subsection Ponderosae). Prepared by Calixto León Gómez.

Cross section of cone axis (P. douglasiana, subsection Ponderosae). Prepared by Calixto León Gómez.

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