PlantsMap

EN PL

Mountain pine (Pinus mugo)
Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 3 countries shrub

Mountain pine

Pinus mugo

Family: Pinaceae

On our map this plant appears in 3 countries and ranks highest in: Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Czechia.

The mountain pine is a shrubby pine with stems that sprawl along the ground and then turn upwards, forming dense, almost impenetrable thickets. It has dark green needles in pairs and small cones. It grows above the treeline, on scree, rocks and in avalanche chutes, where its flexible branches bend under the snow without breaking. An aromatic oil distilled from its needles and young shoots is used in cosmetics and respiratory remedies.

Description from: Liechtenstein.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Liechtenstein no. 4 of 5 native

    In the Alpine part of Liechtenstein the mountain pine forms a distinctive vegetation zone between the forest and the high pastures, stabilising the steep slopes above the Malbun ski resort.

  2. Slovakia no. 4 of 8 native

    In the Slovak mountains dwarf mountain pine forms an entire vegetation zone of its own, known as the dwarf pine belt.

  3. Czechia no. 5 of 10 native

    In Krkonoše National Park, which covers the highest mountains in Czechia, dwarf mountain pine forms a subalpine zone with elements of arctic-alpine tundra.