The lowly Mugo pine (Pinus mugo)

 

This shrub-like pine tree is rather common on campus.  Unlike natives in the Alps that grow up to 80’ tall, Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) rarely exceeds 10’ in this region.  Identification includes needles of 2” in length existing in 2 needles per bundle (or fascicle).  While sap has reportedly been used for medicinal and culinary uses, terpene in the needles can act as a growth suppressant in preventing germination of other plants within the vicinity of an individual Mugo pine.

 

Posted by Brett Huggett