430 A HANDBOOK OF CONIFERS 



reddish brown in the second year. Winter buds cyhndrical, long- 

 pointed, |-1 in. long, covered with lance-shaped, long-pointed, 

 fringed scales, which are free and spreading at the tips. Leaves 

 in threes or occasionally in fours or fives, persistent 3-4 years, 

 slender, spreading or pendulous, 6-9 in. long, ^V i^- or less in 

 width, margins minutely toothed, apex a horny point ; stomatic 

 lines on each surface ; resin canals median ; basal sheath about 1 in. 

 long. Cones lateral, persistent, in clusters of 2-5, on short, scaly 

 stalks, ovoid conic, curved, oblique at the base, 3-4 in. long, pale 

 brown, shining ; scales oblong, nearly 1 in. long, the terminal 

 exposed portion rhomboidal with a sunken centre and a minute 

 prickle. Seeds triangular, grey mottled with black, I in. long, 

 wing |-f in. long. 



P. patula is easily recognized by its slender, drooping foliage, 

 its reddish upper trunk and persistent cones. 



Native of the warm temperate altitudes of the central and 

 eastern states of Mexico. Introduced between 1820-1837, but 

 only hardy in the warmest parts of the British Isles. There are 

 good specimens in Devonshire, Cornwall, and Ireland. 



Nothing is known of the timber of this species or whether it 

 has any special economic value. 



Whilst it is too tender for general cultivation in the British 

 Isles, its graceful habit and general ornamental character warrants 

 its inclusion in pineta in the milder parts of the country. It has 

 been tried in Algeria under forest conditions with little success, 

 but in S. Africa it is said to be thriving more satisfactorily than 

 any other Mexican pine that has been introduced. 



Shaw, Pines of Mexico, 29 (1909). 



Pinus Peuke, Grisebach. (Fig. 95.) 

 Macedonian Pine. 



Pinus excelsa, Hooker (not Wallich) ; P. excelsa, var. Pence, Beissner. 



A tree narrowly pyramidal in outline, somewhat resembling 

 P. Cemhra in habit, attaining in Bulgaria a height of 100 ft. and 

 a girth of 7 ft. Bark thin, except at the base of old trees, similar 

 to that of P. excelsa. Young shoots smooth, without down, 

 shining green, becoming brownish grey in the second year. 

 Winter buds ovoid, short -pointed, about f in. long, resinous. 

 Leaves in fives, lasting three years, slender, sub-erect on the 

 branchlets, 3-4 in. long, margins finely toothed, apex sharp- 

 pointed, stomata on all surfaces ; resin canals marginal, basal 

 sheaths f in. long, falling early. Cones sub-terminal, solitary, or 

 in clusters of 3-4, spreading or pendulous, sub-cylindrical, 4-5 in. 

 long, 1^2 in. wide, resinous, brown when ripe ; scales broadly 

 wedge-shaped, 1|-1| in. long, f in. wide, abruptly convex, 

 striated or resinous on the outer surface with a thickened apex. 



