Krempf's Pine

Pinus krempfii Lecomte

Pinus krempfii, known as Krempf's Pine, is a pine species native to the central highlands of Vietnam, particularly around the Da Lat–Nha Trang region. It is distinguished by its flat needles, a unique trait that places it in its own subsection, Krempfianae. Adult trees can reach heights of up to 55 m and have a diameter at breast height of up to 2 m. The species was first described in 1921 by Lecomte.

Description

Pinus krempfii is a member of the Pinaceae family and is endemic to Vietnam. The species is notable for its flat needles, which are up to 4 mm wide in adult trees. This feature is more pronounced in juvenile specimens. Krempf's Pine grows as a rainforest emergent and is one of the few pine species adapted to tropical rainforest conditions. It was first published in 1921 by Lecomte and remains a distinctive and unusual member of the Pinus genus.