How to identify Mugo pine (Pinus mugo)

How to identify Mugo pine (Pinus mugo)

Mugo pine, also known as Creeping pine

Mugo pine is a versatile conifer ranging in size that commonly presents as a low, broad-spreading, and bushy shrub. Its foliage consists of medium to dark green needles, which are gathered in pairs, measuring 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) in length, with a sturdy, thick, and smooth texture. The evergreen has separate male and female cones; the male being greenish-yellow cylinders, and the female ranging from yellowish-green to purple. The mature female cones turn dark brown and measure 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 6.4 cm) long, typically ripening in the fall.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Mugo pine

Needles in pairs, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm), medium to dark green, staying on plant for years.

Female cones gray-brown, 1-2.5 inches long (2.5-6.4 cm), ripen in fall.

Male pollen cones greenish-yellow, 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) long, aiding cross-pollination.

Distinct bark with irregular plates, grayish-brown color, rugged appearance in mature specimens.

Stems with dense needles, oblong buds, candle-like new growth, and reddish-brown scales.

Detailed Traits of Mugo pine

Leaf Features

The foliage of mugo pine consists of needle-like leaves that are firm, rigid, and thick, measuring 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) in length. These needles are arranged alternately in spirals and grouped in fascicles of 2 on dwarf shoots. They are short, blunt, with finely serrulate margins, and a medium to dark green coloration that can turn yellow-green in winter. The needles are weakly twisted and remain on the plant for many years.

Leaf Base

Cordate

Leaf Arrangement

Fascicled

Leaf Apex

Obtuse

Leaf Texture

Coriaceous

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Flower Features

The flowers of mugo pine are monoecious, featuring distinct male and female structures. Male pollen cones are 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) long, greenish-yellow, and cylindrical. Female pollen cones appear in clusters and range from yellowish-green to purple. These flowers bloom from May to July, facilitating effective cross-pollination. This differentiation in color and form aids in identifying the flowers of mugo pine during the blooming period.

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Stem Features

The stems of mugo pine are green to brown and of medium thickness. They display a dense arrangement of needles and have a unique candle-like appearance when new. Buds are organized in whorls with scales that are appressed, resinous, and reddish-brown, measuring approximately 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.6 to 1.3 cm) in length. The buds are oblong to oval in shape, adding to the distinctive appearance of the stems.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of mugo pine consists of oval-shaped, sessile cones that are initially dark brown and mature to a gray-brown hue. These woody cones measure approximately 1 to 2.5 inches long (2.5-6.4 cm) and 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide (1.3-3.8 cm). Typically found either solitary or in clusters of 3 or 4, the cones bear tiny seeds. The seeds are black, contrasting with their buff-colored wings, and the cones are suited for harvest in the fall season.

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Mugo pine and Their Similar Plants

Eastern white pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is a long-lived evergreen tree native to mixed forests of temperate zones in eastern North America. It is considered one of the tallest trees in its native area. Eastern white pine has a straight-grained lightweight wood, highly valued in construction.

Scots pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a native Eurasian pine plant that grows on nutrient-poor, dry, rocky soils. Given the name, it should come as no surprise that scots pine is the national tree of Scotland. It is also important within the forestry industry due to its use for wood pulp and timber.

Loblolly pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is the second-most common tree in the United States after the red maple. The loblolly pine has the largest sequenced genome with 22 billion base pairs. Its genome is 7 times larger than the human genome.

Italian stone pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

Italian stone pine (italian stone pine) is an evergreen tree whose rounded, umbrella-like canopy provides plenty of shade. It thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant. Its pine cones produce the popular and delicious pine nuts, a valuable food crop that can be harvested, dried and eaten.

Ponderosa pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

The ponderosa pine tree is one of the most common pine trees. It grows straight and tall, up to 76 m, with a deep root that makes it resistant to wind and drought. These trees can live for hundreds of years and are often used for their wood.

Austrian pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) is an evergreen conifer that is native to Mediterranean Europe but has become naturalized in other countries, where it is planted for ornamental purposes and as a windbreak. The trees can grow up to 55 m tall and are very long-lived, with some specimens surviving up to 500 years.

Lodgepole pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) is indigenous to western North America. It’s a species known for its longevity—botanists have found trees that are older than 600 years. It was a favorite source of timber for Native Americans. The primary way they used it (as its name suggests) was to build lodgepoles.

Japanese black pine vs. Mugo pine: What's The Difference?

Japanese black pine is a pine tree that is especially able to tolerate sand and salt spray, compared to average pine trees, making it-well suited for coastal landscaping. However, these trees will grow larger inland than they will near the coast.

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Key Facts About Mugo pine

Attributes of Mugo pine

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

20 m

Spread

6 m to 9 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 8 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Red

Gray

Black

Silver

Fruit Color

Brown

Stem Color

Green

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Mugo pine

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Mugo pine (Pinus mugo)

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Distribution Map of Mugo pine

Native to western Europe, the mugo pine has only been introduced to a few countries in Northern Europe. It grows alongside woodlands, moist ponds, and banks. Gardeners utilize the mugo pine in gardens as a hedge and as a specimen.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Mugo pine How to Grow and Care for Mugo pine