Khasi pine, Three-needled pine
Pinus kesiya

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 30-35 m tall. The trunk is straight. It can be 1 m across. The bark is thick and brown. The branches are horizontal or drooping. The leaves are needle-like are dark green with 3 in a group. They are 15-20 cm long. The cones are oval and 5-9 cm long. The seeds are 6-7 mm long. Cones mature after 18-20 months.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows between 300-2,700 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia (country/location of origin), Cambodia, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

An extract from the resin has a vanilla flavouring.

Edible parts

Resin - flavouring

How it is grown

It is fast growing. Plants can be tapped for resin after 15 years.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Pinus cavendishiana Parl. [Invalid]; Pinus insularis var. khasyana (Griff.) Silba; Pinus kasya Parl. [Spelling variant]; Pinus kasya Royle ex Parl.; Pinus khasia Engelm. [Spelling variant]; Pinus khasya Hook.f. [Spelling variant]; Pinus khasyana Griff.;