Mugo Pine

Mugo Pine

This genus includes about 120 species of evergreen coniferous trees and shrubs, which occur throughout northern temperate regions, C America, N Africa, and SE Asia. Pines of all kinds are grown as ornamentals for their long, needle-like leaves. Several species have dwarf variants which are suitable for small spaces. Most pines dislike shade and polluted air, but some tolerate very poor soils and coastal sites, and make excellent windbreaks. Various pines have been used medicinally from earliest times. All are rich in resins and camphoraceous volatile oils, including pinene, which are strongly antiseptic and stimulant. Pine oil is extracted from the needles and branch tips of P. mugo, P. nigra, P. pinaster, and P. sylvatica; it is widely used in massage oils for muscular stiffness, sciatica, and rheumatism, and in vapor rubs for bronchial congestion. The N American P. strobus (white pine) has expectorant effects; extracts of the inner bark (usually in the form of a syrup) are a common ingredient of cough and cold remedies. In traditional Chinese medicine the main species used are P. massoniana (Masson pine, horsetail pine). Knotty pine wood (song je) usually refers to the latter and was first mentioned in Chinese medical literature c.CE599 as an anti-arthritic and analgesic. Various parts of P. massoniana are used; the needles for influenza and rheumatoid arthritis; resin for eczema and burns; and pollen, given internally for peptic ulcers, dizziness, and facial edema, and externally for boils and sores. Fossilized pine resin (amber, hu po) from P. succinifera (now extinct) is obtained from buried trees and used to treat urinary tract infections, urinary stones, heart disease, and infantile convulsions. A viscous oleo-resin, known as turpentine, is tapped from various species, including P. palustris, and P. pinaster (maritime pine). It is distilled to produce oil of turpentine or spirits of turpentine; this should not be confused with petroleum-based turpentine substitute or white spirit. Rosin, or colophony, is a brittle transluscent substance produced in the distillation of turpentine. Resin is tapped from P. halepensis (Aleppo pine) in Greece to flavor retsina. A number of pines produce large, edible seeds, known as "pine kernels" which are added to salads, cooked vegetables, and rice, and ground for sauces, such as pesto.

Shrub or rounded to spreading tree with scaly gray bark, thick ascending or spreading branches, very resinous buds, paired needles, to 8cm (3in) long, and ovoid brown cones, to 6cm (2½in) long.

Common Name:

Mugo Pine

Other Names:

Dwarf Mountain Pine

Botanical Name:

Pinus mugo

Genus:

Pinus

Family:

Pinaceae

Native Location:

C European Alps

Cultivation:

Well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun. Pinus sylvestris thrives in both acid and alkaline soils. Pinus palustris tolerates drought and poor soil but needs warmth and humidity. Remove dead branches in winter. Restrict the leading shoots. Foliage may be damaged by adelgids, caterpillars of the pine-shoot moth, sawfly larvae, canker, dieback, Botrytis, and rust. Trees may be killed by honey fungus.

Propagation:

By seed sown in spring (species and varieties only); by layering (P. mugo Pumilio Group); by grafting in late winter (cultivars).

Harvest:

Leaves and young shoots are collected during the growing season and usually used fresh for decoctions and syrups (P. sylvestris). Resin is tapped by cutting vertical grooves in the bark and collecting the exudate; oil is distilled or solvent extracted from wood and bark (P. palustris). Oil is distilled from leaves (P. mugo Pumilio Group). Oils are processed into ointments, gels, emulsions, inhalants, and rubbing oils. Tar is distilled from roots (P. sylvestris).

Height:

3.5m (11ft)

Width:

5m (15ft)

Variations:

Mops
Is slow growing, dense, and rounded.
Height:1.5m (5ft)

Pumilio Group
syn. Var. Pumilio
Is shrubby, with erect branches.

Hardiness:

Z2-8

Parts Used:

Oil (pumilio pine oil)

Properties:

An aromatic, stimulant, antiseptic herb that is expectorant; relieves bronchial and nasal congestion; improves blood flow locally.

Medicinal Uses:

Internally and externally for upper respiratory tract infections, whooping cough, chronic bronchitis, mucus, and asthma. Externally for rheumatism and muscular stiffness; aslo as decongestant inhalation.

Economic Uses:

Oil is used in commercial food flavoring, and in woody perfumes.

Warning:

May cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
This herb, in the form of pumilio pine oil, is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.

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