Conifers

Pine Family - Pinaceae

Aleppo Pine Pinus halepensis

Native to much of the Mediterranean Region, but replaced eastwards by Calabrian Pine. In Lesvos, only occurs where planted, generally around habitation. The cones are carried on relatively long stalks, which are recurved.


Leaves	Female flowers	Male flowers	Young cone

Young cones	Mature cones	Bud	Bark

Calabrian Pine Pinus brutia

Native to the Eastern Mediterranean Region and often the dominant species in hillside pinewoods, replaced westwards by Aleppo Pine. In Lesvos, the dominant tree in much of the eastern half of the island. The cones are carried on short, straight stalks.


Habit	Leaves	Leaves

Young cone	Mature cone	Mature cone

Stone Pine Pinus pinea

Native to the Mediterranean Region but only common in the western part of its range, where it can form extensive forests. Rarer in the east and on Lesvos, only occurring where planted.


Habit	Leaves	Leaves	Leaves

Cones	Bud	Young bark	Old bark

Black Pine Pinus nigra

Native to the mountains of southern and Central Europe to North-west Africa, the Caucasus and Cyprus. Probably only occurs as an introduction on Lesvos. A tall-growing species, typically with a single, stout, upright trunk with the lower branches soon disappearing. Leaves short-medium, 8-12cm, paired, stiff and curved and typically more or less parallel, dark green. Cones mid-sized, 3-9cm. Winter buds with an elongated tip.


Habit	Leaves	Leaves	Winter bud

Cones	Cone	Cone	Bark

Italian Cypress Cupressus sempervirens

Widespread throughout the Mediterranean Region but commonly planted and considered probably only native in Turkey and the Middle East. Occurs in a familiar, narrow, columnar form and in a more shaggy, spreading form. Often planted as a shade tree, especially around chapels and monasteries.


Habit	Habit	Leaves	Leaves

Male flowers	Female flowers	Mature cone	Bark

Prickly Juniper Juniperus oxycedrus

Widespread throughout the Mediterranean Region but rarer in the eastern area and typically in dry hills above 350m asl.


Habit	Leaves	Leaves	Leaves

Leaves	Leaves	Fruits	Fruits

Phoenician Juniper Juniperus phoenicea

Native throughout much of the Mediterranean Region, being common and widespread in the West but rare in the East and typically confined to coastal dune habitats. Usually a shrub to 2m in height. Scale-like leaves with pale, scarious margins. Ripe fruit dull reddish-brown.


Habit	Leaves	Leaves	Fruit

Fruit	Fruit	Fruit

Stinking Juniper Juniperus foetidissima

Native from the southern Balkans eastwards through Turkey to the Caucasus and Iran. A tree, typically growing at altitude and often providing an uppermost treeline. Ultimate twigs relatively coarse, quadrangular. Scale-like leaves without scarious margins. Ripe fruit blackish with 1-3 seeds.


Habit	Leaves	Leaves

Flora of Lesvos An Identification Guide

Conifers

Pine Family - Pinaceae

Species List

Flora of Lesvos
An Identification Guide