Sumatran pine (Pinus merkusii)

Family: Pinaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Pinus merkusii is an evergreen Tree growing to 50 m (164ft) by 30 m (98ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood. — A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood.; The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy.; Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them, We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though they are rather small (the size given includes the shell).; The dark brown seeds are 6 - 7mm long.

Habitat & North American Range

A pioneer species, it inhabits a wide range of forest and savannah habitats. (Zone 10)