Pinus kwangtungensis Chun ex Tsiang 

Pinus kwangtungensis Chun ex Tsiang; Photo alamy.com and wikidata.org

Latin name:

Pinus kwangtungensis Chun ex Tsiang 

Vernacular: 

Thông Pà Cò

Family: 

Pinaceae 

Taxonomic notes:

Two varieties. For the type variety, syn: Pinus wangii Hu et W. C. Cheng var. kwangtungensis (Chun et Tsiang) Silba. The second variety is Pinus kwangtungensis var. varifolia Nan Li et Y. C. Zhong, Novon 7: 262. 1997. Many authors do not treat it at the species rank, preferring to lump it with either of the closely related taxa Pinus morrisonicola of Taiwan or Pinus fenzeliana of south China and Vietnam. In this treatment of the group, I have chosen to treat each taxon as a good species, following the line taken by the Flora of China (Wu and Raven 1999) as a recent authoritative treatment. However, I feel the Flora does tend toward "splitting" taxa on the basis of what many authors consider to be minor characters.

Morphology 

An evergreen, medium to large- sized tree, reaching 17-20m in height, with a diameter of 50- 70cm (or more). Having dormant buds with light brown scales. Needles in fascicles of 5 at twig tips. Female cones solitary, oviform, when mature reaching 6-7 x 4.5-5.5cm in size, with scalesinvertedly ovate, slightly convex inside, concave outside, rhomboid tip, and a hilum at tip. Seeds oval, bearing a wing at tip. 

Distribution and ecology 

This tree species endemic to the South of China and the North of Vietnam. First discovered in

Vietnam at Hoa Binh province (Pa Co commune, Mai Chau district) and recently at Cao Bang province (Due Hong commune, Trung Khanh district). Occurring naturally in pure belts on limestone peaks at elevations of about 1,300 - 1,500m asl. Occasionally mixed with Fokienia hodginsii and some species of Fagaceae and Lauraceae. 

Uses 

Timber used by local people as good construction timber. Besides its oleo resin can be used as an adhesive. This is a very endangered tree species of Vietnam. Due to its confined habitats, the number of individuals is not many, and the needs in construction timber and fuel wood of the tribesmen groups may cause the species to disappear; its number being strongly reduced. Rated as a vulnerable species. We need integral protection of the species in- situ (at the existing pine groves of Pa Co). Research should also be made to create plantations of the species at its range of habitats, as supplementary measures for preservation.