The plant is arboreal, 20-25 m high. There are multi-stemmed species. In cultivated plantings, it grows slowly, reaching a height of two and a half meters by the age of 25. It has a smooth bark, which, as the plant grows, gradually becomes small-scaled. The crown is pyramidal, loose, expanding with the age of the plant.
Young shoots are greenish, with slight pubescence. Later, the pubescence disappears, the shoot becomes gray. The needles are long (3-6 cm), soft and thin, dark green. The needles are collected in bunches of 5 pieces each. At the ends of the shoots, the needles are curved and twisted.
Pine cones are of medium size (3-4 cm), cylindrical, "sessile" and resinous. Keep on branches for 6-7 years. The tops of the scales of the cones are rounded, convex, have a weakly pronounced navel. Seeds: lionfish. The homeland of small-flowered pine is Japan. Cultivated since 1861. The plant is sensitive to moisture deficiency. Some varieties do not tolerate low temperatures well.
Small-flowered pine varieties
There are about fifty varieties of small-flowered pine. Almost all of them grow in Japan. Some varieties are used for growing in pot culture as bonsai. Most varieties of this plant are distinguished by early fruiting.
Blauer Engel variety - differs from the wild form in the modest size and color of the needles. Its height is just over half a meter. The crown is wide and spreading. The needles are blue and have a bend. The plant is grown for decorative purposes. In order to form a beautiful crown shape, young shoots are plucked annually.
Pine Glauca, cultivar Glauka (1909, Germany)... The variety unites a whole group of small and medium-sized pine trees, oval or wide-pyramidal crowns and blue curved needles.
Negishi Pine (Negishi variety) - a dwarf among arboreal forms, which is a tree or shrub, reaching a height of just over a meter by the age of ten. It has blue needles from 4 to 5 cm long. Differs in good fruiting.
Tempelhof cultivar (1965, Holland) - half dwarf. By the age of ten, it grows two meters. Differs in a wide, up to a meter in diameter, crown. The needles are gray-blue. Produces well.
