Pinus massoniana

Lamb.

Pinaceae Edible: Flowers Potential hazards — see below 1,248 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Pinus massoniana, commonly known as Masson's pine or Chinese red pine, is a species of pine, native to Taiwan, a wide area of central and southern China, including Hong Kong, and northern Vietnam. The specific Latin epithet massoniana refers to the distinctive shape of the species' leaves, which resemble a horse's tail. Hence, its Chinese common name 馬尾松, lit. 'horse-tail pine'.

Description

A tree. It grows 15-20 m tall. The trunk is 80 cm across. There are 2 leaves together. They are 12-20 cm long. The seeds have a 2 cm long wing.

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Edible Uses

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of resins released from the pulpwood.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves, chopped or prepared as a decoction, are used to treat rheumatism and intestinal parasites. The pollen is cardiac and astringent. Turpentine from the resin of pine trees is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient, and vermifuge. Taken internally, it is a valuable remedy for kidney and bladder complaints, and is used both internally and as a rub or steam bath for rheumatic conditions. It benefits the respiratory system and is useful against mucous membrane diseases, coughs, colds, influenza, and TB. Externally, it treats skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, and boils, applied via liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths, and inhalers. The wood of the stems is carminative and demulcent. The stem bark is astringent, parasiticide, and vulnerary. The root bark is astringent and tonic.

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, SE Asia, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils. Established plants tolerate drought. This species is an important timber tree in Asia. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow beneath the tree. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Sow seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, or in late winter if not. Stored seed benefits from a short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c to improve germination. Seedlings should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protected for the first winter or two. Because the root system is very sparse, early transplanting is essential for good establishment. Plant trees when small, between 30 and 90cm — ideally at around 5–10cm tall. A thorough weed-excluding mulch greatly aids establishment. Larger transplants check badly and show little growth for several years, with poor root development and wind resistance as a result. Cuttings can be taken, but only from trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots several weeks before taking cuttings can help, though cuttings are generally slow to establish.

Other Uses

A tan or green dye can be obtained from the needles. The needles release a substance called terpene when washed by rain, which inhibits germination of some plants including wheat. Oleo-resins occur in the tissues of all pines, obtained by tapping the trunk or by destructive distillation of the wood; trees from warmer regions generally yield more. Turpentine makes up an average of 20% of the oleo-resin and is separated by distillation, with uses including as a solvent for waxes, in varnish, and medicinally. The remaining rosin is used by violinists on their bows and in sealing wax and varnish. Pitch derived from the resin is used for waterproofing and as a wood preservative. An important timber tree in Asia, the wood is used for construction, railway sleepers, mine timber, furniture, and wood pulp.

References (4)

Chinh, N. N., et al, 1996, Vietnam Forest Trees. Agricultural Publishing House. Hanoi. p 1
Liu, Yi-tao, & Long, Chun-Lin, 2002, Studies on Edible Flowers Consumed by Ethnic Groups in Yunnan. Acta Botanica Yunnanica. 24(1):41-56
An Illustrated Flora of Vietnam Volume 1. p 219
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew