Pinus leiophylla Schiede ex Schl. & Cham.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1800.  [JD]. 

Pinus leiophylla Schlecht. & Cham. Linnaea 6: 354. 1831.  Zacatecas to Veracruz and Oaxaca; type from Michoacan.

Tree, 15 to 27 meters high; bark thin; at first, red, soon becoming very coarse and rough; leaves 10 to 14 cm. long, grayish green; cones maturing the third year, 7 cm. long or shorter, persistent.  The names “ocote blanco” and “ocote chino” are said to be applied to this species. [Contributions from the US National Herbarium – Trees and Shrubs of Mexico vol. 23 part 1, p.55/1920].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1849 catalogues [C.62/1845].  Macarthur reported to Loddiges’ Nursery on 6th January, 1845 that Pinus leiophylla was one of only a handful of plants likely to die of the present importation.  [MP A2933-2, p.28].  It was later obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  At this time it was believed by Macarthur to be a new introduction to the colony, strongly suggesting that Loddiges’ tree did die.  [ML A1980-3].

Notes