Pinus armandii var. mastersiana
Pinus armandii var. mastersiana, also known by the common names of the Taiwan high mountain pine, Taiwan mountain pine, or Masters' pine, is a rare variety of Pinus armandii in the family Pinaceae that is endemic to portions of northern and central Taiwan.
Etymology
Pinus armandii var. mastersiana was named in honor of British botanist Maxwell T. Masters, who was a well-known conifer expert up until he went into teratology.
Two of its common names, derive from its natural habitat; being mountainous woodlands and terrain.
Description
Individuals on average reach a height of tall, and around dbh. Branches and branchlets spread out in a wide, horizontal manner. Needles are in fascicles of 5, and are a bright green color. Cones are long, reddish brown to brown, and in diameter. Seeds are long, wingless, and of an ovoid shape.
Distribution and habitat
Pinus armandii var. mastersiana is endemic to parts of northern and central Taiwan, where it grows at upward elevations of 2,300-3,000 m. Specifically, the variety is seen near the Alishan mountain range, and Mt. Yu Shan. Its habitat is made up of grassland, woodland, and rocky terrain dominated by Tsuga chinensis, Pinus taiwanensis, Acer morrisonense, Rhododendron rubropilosum, ''Viburnum parvifolium, and various Chamaecyparis spp.''
Conservation
Pinus armandii var. mastersiana is currently listed as "Endangered" by the IUCN Red List, for local logging, and wood harvesting have affected the variety's population greatly. It is in a steady, but rapid decline.
Uses
It is used for high quality furniture making in a localized environment by locals. It is also used as an ornamental tree for botanical gardens and collectors.