Common Name: Parana Pine

General Information

Parana pine is a slow-growing, large evergreen tree with a pyramidal crown when young becoming more umbrella-like as it ages. It can grow 20 - 50 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole is free of branches for most of its height and can be 90 - 200cm in diameter[, , ].
The edible seeds are gathered from the wild in large quantities and often sold in local markets, whilst the timber is widely exploited and traded internationally and the resin from the gum is traded locally[, ]. The plant is often grown in timber plantations in subtropical areas, ans is also often grown as an ornamental[, ].
One of the most important timbers in S. America, its original extent has declined by more than 80% in the last century due to timber felling[]. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - southern Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina.

Habitat

A dominant component of tropical, seasonal, mixed moist forest, occurring at elevations between 600 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	35.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Found in humid areas of the tropics and subtropics, which experience a mild to hot summer without a dry season[]. The plant is found at elevations between 200 - 2,200 metres, but is only found below 500 metres where cool air flows from the highlands towards the valleys[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 23°c, but can tolerate 9 - 27°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -5°c or lower, but new growth will be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,250 - 2,500mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a medium-textured, moist but well-drained soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.5[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Optimum annual wood production is 10 - 23 cubic metres per hectare[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Seed[, ]. A mealy texture and a somewhat sweet flavour, reminiscent of sweet potatoes[].

An edible gum is obtained from the tree[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A resin is obtained from the bark[].

The heartwood is light yellow to brown, often with purplish-pink veins; it is not clearly demarcated from the yellowish sapwood. The texture is fine and uniform, without prominent alternating bands of early and latewood; the grain is straight; there is no distinctive odour. The wood is light in weight, soft, not very durable, being susceptible to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. It can be slow to season, but with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. The wood is easy to work with normal tools, though internal stresses in the wood may cause distortion in machining; nailing and screwing are good; gluing is correct. It is used for general building purposes, for framing lumber, interior trim, sash and door stock, flooring, furniture and veneer, as slats for venetian blinds and also as backing for electrotypes[, , , , ]. It is also used for plywood, pulp and paper; and locally to make musical instruments, boxes and matches[].
Useful as a fuel wood[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in individual containers[, ]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 15°c[]. The plants have a rather sparse root system and are best placed in their final positions as soon as possible.

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