Pinus contorta
Lodgepole pine
Pinus contorta, commonly known as the Lodgepole pine, is a resilient coniferous species native to western North America. Beyond its ecological importance in forest succession, this plant holds significant medicinal value. Its resin and various extracts are traditionally utilized for their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and respiratory-supporting properties in herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Pinus contorta
- Family: Pinaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Pinidae and the order Pinales, belonging to the family Pinaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Pinus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Pinidae | WCVP |
| Order | Pinales | WCVP |
| Family | Pinaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pinus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pinus contorta, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Polish, it is referred to as sosna wydmowa, while in the Chipewyan language, it is called Hoóxe'e. It is known as pin tordu in French, keerdmänd in Estonian, and is identified as Küsten-Kiefer in German.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | sosna wydmowa | Wikidata |
| chy | Hoóxe'e | Wikidata |
| fr | pin tordu | Wikidata |
| et | keerdmänd | Wikidata |
| de | Küsten-Kiefer | Wikidata |
| hsb | Wjertawa chójna | Wikidata |
| sv | Contortatall | Wikidata |
| is | Stafafura | Wikidata |
| sk | borovica stočená | Wikidata |
| ru | Сосна скрученная широкохвойная | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence within several regions of Northern Europe. Its distribution can be traced across the island of Iceland and throughout the territories of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, it is found within the coastal and maritime environments of the Faroe Islands. The range also extends to the diverse landscapes found in Great Britain. Together, these locations define the northern European reaches where the species is documented.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pinus contorta (commonly known as the Lodgepole pine), is highly valued in traditional and modern medicine primarily for its resinous secretions. The most significant medicinal components are derived from the pitch preparations, which are obtained from the tree's sticky, aromatic resin. These pitch preparations are rich in terpenes and other bioactive compounds, making them useful in topical applications to treat skin conditions, alleviate inflammation, and act as mild antiseptics. Beyond its external uses, the resinous properties of the plant serve as a vital source for various therapeutic extracts used in holistic healing practices.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch preparations | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pinus contorta has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include pinosylvin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pinosylvin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pinosylvin monomethyl ether | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pinus contorta has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus fumigatus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |