Pinus L.
Genus comprised of 130 species distributed mainly in the Norhern Hemisphere. In North Africa it is represented by 3 native species, with an abundant and very disjunct distribution: P. pinaster and P. nigra are relatively scarce, being restricted to mild to cold wetlands. P. halepensis, however, being a drought tolerant species, forms extensive forests scattered throughout the Mediterranean area of the region, often marking the southernmost forest edge of the Mediterranean, before the Sahara.
Anthracological analyses in the ancient Phoenician and Roman city of Lixus (NW Atlantic Morocco) are revealing the presence here of a fourth species of pine: P. pinea, about 2,600 years ago. On calcareous soils, dominated the forests of Quercus ilex, with Q, coccifera and Olea europaea, on acids soils dominated the forests of Q. suber with Erica sp. and, in both types of forest, pine trees appeared, although always scarce.
Abdelli, D. & Moali D. 1996. Contribution à l’étude biosystématique du Pin noir du Maghreb (Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. mauretanica): Rif et Djurdjura. Mém. Ing. Agr. 82.
Adjaoud D. & Aidrous N., 1992. Contribution à l’étude biosystématique du Pin noir du Djurdjura (Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. mauretanica Maire et Peyer). Mém. Ing. Agr. 103.
Asmani, A. 2003. Plaidoyer pour le Pin noir d’Algérie (Pinus nigra Arnold ssp. mauretanica Maire et Peyerimohff) – Peuplements menaces. XII Congreso forestal mundial. Quebec. http://www.fao.org/docrep/ARTICLE/WFC/XII/0748-B3.HTM
Boutamine, R. 1987. Etude structurale et dynamique du peuplement de pin noir du Djurdjura. Mémoire D.E.S. Sciences de la nature, Univ. Sci. Tech. H. Boumedienne. Babezouar. Alger. 64 P.
Bucci, G., Gonzalez-Martínez, S.C., Le Provost, G., Plomion, C., Ribeiro, M.M., Sebastiani, F., Alia, R. & Vendramin, G.G. 2007. Range-wide phylogeography and gene zones in Pinus pinaster Ait. revealed by chloroplast microsatellite markers. Molecular Ecology 16: 2137-2153.
Chalabi, B. 1980. Etude écologique, dendrologique et dendrométrique du Pin noir algérien (Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. clusiana Maire et Peyer) à Tikjda: Djurdjura. Mém. Ing. Agr. Ins. Nat. Agr. El-Harrach, Alger. 87.
Farjon, A. 2018. Pines. Drawings and descriptions of the genus Pinus. Second edition. E. J. Brill, Leiden. 236 pp.
Kadik, B., 1987. Contribution à l’étude du Pin d’Alep (Pinus halepensis Mill.) en Algérie: écologie, dendrométrie, morphologie. O.P.U.. Argel. 575 pp + anexos.
Mirov, N.T., 1967. The genus Pinus. Nueva York. 610 pp.
Souleres, G. 1969. Le Pin d’Alep en Tunisie. Annales de l’Institut National de la Recherche Forestière, 2 (1): 126 pp.
Key to species
1 Strobili clearly pedunculate, persistent for many years, branchlets ash-grey. Leaves smaller (5-12 cm), light green Pinus halepensis
1 Strobili sessile or subsessile, quickly caducous. Branchlets yellowish or chestnut colour. Leaves large (10-20 cm), dark green 2
2 Buds non-resinous with protruding curved scales. Strobili larger (8-20 cm) with very sharp protruding scales Pinus pinaster
2 Buds resinous with appressed scales. Strobili small (5-7 cm), with bulging flakes, depressed in the centre, with a small sharp carina in the centre Pinus nigra
Updated by: G. Benítez, J. Molero Mesa & J. Charco.