Mexican white pine
Pinus ayacahuite
Family: Pinaceae
What it is like
A cone shaped pine tree. It grows to 24 m high. The bark has wide shallow cracks. They are pinkish. The lower branches are long and thin. The leaves are needles which are spread out and dull blue-green. They are long and slender and often bent near their base. They occur in groups of five. Male flowers are yellow and female flowers are red and upright on short stalks. The cones taper and they hang downwards. They are about 30 cm long. The young cones are green but ripe cones are orange-brown. The scales turn back near the base.
There are over 100 species of Pinus.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It grows at high elevations in Guatemala. It occurs between 2,000-3,300 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Arboretum Tasmania. Canberra Forestry Department.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Britain, Central America, Colombia, Europe, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Tasmania
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten.
Edible parts
Seeds, nuts
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Acahite, Arizona white pine, Ayacahuite pine, Pino enano