Pinus longifolia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chir Pine
• Long-leaved Indian Pine
• longleaf Indian pine
• Emodi Pine
• Himalayan longleaf pine
• Indian longleaf pine
• Longifolia Pine
• imodi pine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pinus roxburgii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Pinidae within the order Pinales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Pinaceae and falls under the genus Pinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans several distinct regions. In the Indian Subcontinent, it is widely distributed across India, Bangladesh, and the East Himalaya. Its presence also extends into the high-altitude regions of Tibet within China. Interestingly, the species is recorded as far as Ascension in the Middle Atlantic Ocean. This widespread distribution highlights the adaptability of Pinus roxburghii across varied environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pinus roxburghii is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient within montane ecosystems. This species is typically distributed across a significant elevational range, occupying habitats from as low as 500 m AMSL to elevations reaching a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Within these varying altitudes, the plant adapts to diverse microclimates, often forming dominant stands in temperate forest zones where it influences soil composition and moisture retention. Its presence is often dictated by specific topographic features and soil types that can support its growth throughout this broad vertical distribution.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pinus roxburghii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term survival and presence within its ecological niche over many years. As a member of the gymnosperms, its growth pattern is sustained through multiple seasonal cycles, allowing it to establish a permanent structural presence in its habitat. In terms of its biological architecture, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, a life form defined by having its perennating buds located high above the ground on woody branches. This phanerophyte habit enables the plant to maintain its photosynthetic and reproductive structures in a protected position, facilitating its dominance in forested landscapes.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pinus roxburgii is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree that is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic or parasitic behaviors, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with a height ranging from a minimum of 4 m to a maximum of 55 m, supported by a robust, woody structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

55 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pinus roxburgii is characterized by specialized adaptations to temperate and sub-tropical montane environments, primarily driven by its needle-like leaf morphology which minimizes transpirational water loss. As a gymnosperm, its metabolic processes are governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon fixation occurs via the enzyme RuBisCO to form a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This C3 pathway is integrated with a robust tracheid-based vascular system that facilitates the efficient transport of water and minerals under varying hydraulic pressures. Furthermore, the plant exhibits significant physiological resilience to seasonal temperature fluctuations, employing biochemical adjustments in membrane fluidity and osmotic regulation to maintain cellular integrity during cold periods. Its metabolic activity is also closely linked to its resin production, which serves both as a defense mechanism against herbivory and as a secondary physiological response to environmental stressors.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pinus roxburghii is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period typically begins in February and extends through May, though the exact timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass profile; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.0873325 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.08099 g to a maximum of 0.09524 g.

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

May

Seed mass max:

0.09524 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0873325 g

Seed mass min:

0.08099 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pinus roxburghii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Pinus roxburghii has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Caryophyllene, ABIETIC ACID, ALPHA-PINENE, BETA-PINENE, CAMPHENE.

(E)-Caryophyllene

1. Pharmacognosy research

ABIETIC ACID

1. Journal of integrative medicine

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPHENE

1. Dr. Duke

Delta-3-Carene

1. Dr. Duke

Hexacosyl ferulate

1. Dr. Duke

LONGIFOLENE

1. Dr. Duke

Longicyclene

1. Dr. Duke

Sesquiterpenes

1. Pharmacognosy research

Activities

Pinus roxburghii has 37 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Allelochemic, Allelopathic, Allergenic, Allergenic?.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. BioMed research international

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Pinus roxburghii has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, blisters, boils.

Micrococcus luteus

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Blisters

1. Pharmacognosy research

Boils

1. Pharmacognosy research

Wounds

1. Pharmacognosy research

Preparations

Pinus roxburghii has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude methanolic extracts, essential oils, raw, roasted, seed extracts.

Crude methanolic extracts

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Essential oils

1. Pharmacognosy research

Raw

1. BioMed research international

Roasted

1. BioMed research international

Seed extracts

1. BioMed research international