Pinus tabuliformis var. umbraculifera T.N.Liou & Q.L.Wang
Endemic to a small are of China. This variety has been assessed as Near Threatened due to its relatively restricted distribution and the likelihood of it being affected by general deforestation in the recent past.
Description
Taxonomic Note
The Flora of China distinguishes this variety from the common typical variety on the basis that it has larger cones that have swollen apophyses, slightly longer and stiffer needles, non glaucous first year branches and a low branching habit. Further research is required to ascertain the uniqueness of these characters.
Distribution
Endemic to a small area in China: Hebei and Central Liaoning on the Anshan Shi.
Habitat and Ecology
Ocurs in middle elevations in the hills and mountains of NE and Central China, but occurs from 100 m to 2,600 m a.s.l. It prefers dry, sunny slopes and hills where competition from broad-leaved trees is less severe as the woods are more open and lower than in more mesic sites. It is also a pioneer in secondary vegetation and is there commonly mixed with deciduous shrubs and trees, in later stages of the succession often giving way to these angiosperms. Management of forests often has arrested this succession in favour of the pines, which are of economic importance as a forestry tree.
Human Uses
This is an important forestry tree yielding timber for construction; its wood is hard and strong with a straight grain. The wood is used for mining props, railway sleepers, to build woodenbridges and carts or wagons, to make tools, and for artificial fibres. The resin is extracted from the barkand leaves and produces turpentine; another product of these parts is tannin used to make leather fromhides. Essential oils distilled from the leaves and the pollen are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Conservation Status
Global Status & Rationale
Near Threatened
This taxon occurs, as far as known, in a very small area within the threshold for a Critically Endnagered listing; however, nothing specific is known about its population size, trends and indeed threats. This variety was not assessed by the China Plant Specialist Group. It is here flagged as Near Threatened due to the likelihood of it being effected to some extent by general deforestation in the recent past.
Conservation Actions
Population assessments of this very restricted variety need to be carried out to see if there is a case of threat. It is uncertain if it occurs in any protected area.