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Scientific name: Pinus luchuensis H.Mayr 1894
Synonyms: -
Common names: Luchu pine, Okinawa pine, Ryukyu Island pine (English), Ryukyu-matsu (Japanese)
Tree to 15(-25) m tall, with trunk to 1 m in diameter. Bark gray, long remaining smooth, eventually beginning to flake and then darkening to grayish black and breaking up into irregular plates. Crown flat-topped and open, with numerous long, slender, upwardly angled branches densely clothed with foliage at the tips. Twigs yellowish brown, with tufts of tiny hairs, rough with the bases of scale leaves. Buds 1-2 cm long, reddish brown, resinous. Needles in bundles of two, each needle 12-16(-20) cm long, slender but stiff and straight, lasting 2(-3) years, dark green. Individual needles with lines of stomates on both faces and two to six resin canals, the two at the corners touching the needle surface and the others midway between the surface and the two-stranded midvein. Sheath 10-15 mm long, weathering to 5-10 mm and persisting and falling with the bundle. Pollen cones densely crowded, 12-20 mm long, reddish brown. Seed cones 3-4(-6) cm long, egg-shaped, with 60-80 seed scales, green before maturity, ripening dull yellowish brown, opening widely to release the seeds and then persisting a while before falling with the slender, short stalk to 1 cm long. Seed scales paddle-shaped, the exposed face irregularly fan-shaped, flat, crossed by a low ridge topped by a small, slightly protruding umbo. Seed body 3-4 mm long, the easily detachable wing another 9-12 mm longer.
Ryukyu Islands of Japan, from Amami Ōshima in the north to Yonaguni Jima in the south. Forming pure, open stands from the coast to the mountain slopes; 0-300(-700) m.
Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern
The extent of occurrence (all of the Ryukyu Islands) is beyond the threshold for a threatened category. Determining the area of occupancy is problematic due to the difficulty of distinguishing planed sites from natural sites. However, as there is no evidence of decline this species is assessed as Least Concern.
Pinus luchuensis is a maritime pine, occurring in coastal areas of Okinawa and on smaller islands from near sea level to 700 m a.s.l. It grows on sand dunes as well as on rocky outcrops and hillsides, often on very wind-exposed slopes or close to the sea, where it becomes wind distorted. This species is very tolerant of saline air and ocean spray, but grows well in planted situations away from strong winds and airborne salt. In its natural habitat it mostly forms pure, open stands with a low vegetation of grasses and shrubs stabilizing drifting sand, virtually free from competition by other trees.
During and after the Second World War trees were heavily harvested. The present poor form of the remaining trees precludes further exploitation. Occasional destruction from typhoons is the likely hazard to this pine, however, it is adapted to the condition and will regenerate.
This pine is not important as a timber resource and as such only of local use. It is well adapted to salt-laden sea winds and has been planted to stabilize sand dunes in coastal areas in other parts of Japan as well as in Taiwan. It is not known to be used as an ornamental tree and no cultivars are known of this species.
Plantations have been established and regeneration is actively encouraged. It is known from some protected areas.
Copyright © Aljos Farjon, James E. Eckenwalder, IUCN, Conifers Garden. All rights reserved.
