Pinus pumila

The Siberian dwarf pine is a coniferous evergreen shrub ranging from in height, exceptionally up to , but may have individual branches that extend further along the ground in length. In the mountains of northern Japan, it sometimes hybridizes with the related Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora); these hybrids (Pinus × hakkodensis) are larger than P. pumila, reaching tall on occasion. The leaves are needle-like, formed in bundles of five and are 4–6 centimeters long. The cones are 2.5–4.5cm long, with large nut-like seeds (pine nuts). File:Pinus pumila 03.jpg|Habit File:Young seed cones of Pinus pumila BG Tallinn.jpg|Young seed cones File:Pinus pumila microstrobilus BG Tallinn.jpg|Male cones ==Distribution==

The range covers the Far East, Eastern Siberia, north-east of Mongolia, north-east of China, northern Japan and Korea. == Ecology ==

The seeds are harvested and dispersed by the spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). File:Pinus pumila0.jpg|In its natural habitat, eastern Siberia P. pumila has highly flammable needles, branches, and cones and readily carries crown fires, especially where it grows continuously across local landscapes. It has serotinous cones that release seeds following fire facilitating its recovery following severe fires caused by lightning strikes and other causes. == Cultivation ==

This plant is grown as an ornamental shrub in parks and gardens. The cultivar P. pumila 'Glauca' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. == See also ==