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stone pine

tree species
Also known as: Italian stone pine, Mediterranean stone pine, Pinus pinea, umbrella pine(Show More)

Quick Summary

The stone pine, also known as the Italian stone pine or umbrella pine (Pinus pinea), is a species native to the Mediterranean region. It is characterized by a wide-spreading, flat-topped crown and is cultivated for its sweet, almond-like seeds, commonly called pine nuts. These seeds, also known as pignoli or pinyons, have been valued since ancient times and are a key ingredient in dishes like pesto. It takes about 25 years for a stone pine to produce a crop, and seven years for the cones to mature, contributing to their cost. The genus Pinus, to which the stone pine belongs, comprises about 115 species of evergreen conifers important economically and ecologically.123

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