Chinese White Pine (Pinus armandii)

Family: Pinaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Pinus armandii is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich seed has a slightly resinous flavour. — Seed - raw or cooked.; Esteemed as a great delicacy, the oil-rich seed has a slightly resinous flavour.; Up to 13mm x 11mm.; A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood.

Habitat & North American Range

Moderate to high elevations. Mountains, river basins; 1000-3300 m. S Gansu, C and NW Guizhou, Hainan, SW Henan, W Hubei, S Shaanxi, S Shanxi, Sichuan, C Taiwan, SE Xizang, Yunnan. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)