Roman Pine, Stone Pine
Pinus pinea

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

A flat topped tree. It can reach 27 m tall. The branches radiate upwards like the ribs of an umbrella. The bark is light brown and cracks into long flat plates. The leaves are needles which grow in pairs. They are dark green and long. The male flowers are golden. The female flowers are green. The cones are large and heavy and globe shaped. One cones contains about 100 seeds. Cones take about 3 years to ripen. The nuts or seeds are eaten.

Biblical references Hosea 14:8. There are over 100 species of Pinus.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows naturally on sandy soils near the coast in Mediterranean regions. It grows well in coastal areas. It can tolerate drought once established. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Domain and Government House, Launceston City Park, Westbury oval. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Europe, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Hawaii, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Mexico, Middle East, North Africa, North America, Portugal, Sicily, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Syria, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The seeds can be eaten raw, roasted or steamed. They are used in sweetmeats, cakes, puddings, stuffings and sauces. They can be mixed in cakes and used for nut milk. The nuts are the source of oil. The young shoots are used to make a drink.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, flavouring, spice, shoots - drink

How it is grown

Plants grow readily from seed.

Seeds need warm summers to ripen. Seeds are stored in their cones until ready to be eaten or they become rancid. The seed take 3 years to ripen. The trees take 15 years until they beging to bear and 50 years until they reach maximum production.

Its other names

Local names

Cam fistigi, Fistik cami, Italian stone pine, Parasol Pine, Pignoli, Pignolia, Pin, Pina, Pinie, Pinj, Pino, Pinocchi, Pino negral, Pinon mediterraneo, Pinonero, Sanaubar thamari, Umbrella Pine

Synonyms

Pinus esculenta Opiz; Pinus fastuosa Salisb.; Pinus maderiensis Ten.; Pinus sativa Garsault;