Pinus montezumae Lamb. var. ruselliana Lindl.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Like many conifers Pinus montezumae is somewhat variable across its range, hence the number of synonyms.  ‘Pinus Russelliana.  Found on the road from San Pedro to S. Pablo, near Real del Monte.  It differs from P. Devoniana in its cones being shorter, not pendulous, nor curved, with the ends of the scales distinctly pyramidal.  The cones are from seven to eight inches long, about two inches wide near the base, and almost acute at the upper end.  I trust to be excused in the eyes of His Grace the Duke of Bedford, if I propose to attach the name of Russell to this fine species.’  [BR misc.97/1839].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [C.72/1850].  Macarthur requested Pinus Devoniana and P. Montezumae from Loddiges’ Nursery on 6th January 1845 [MP A2933-2, p.28].  At the same time he requested P. hartwegii and P. russeliana, now recognised as varieties of P. montezumae. Loddiges’ Nursery is the likely source of Pinus ruselliana.

Notes