Definition

Noun 1. A species of pine tree: Pinus cembra is a large, slow-growing coniferous tree native to the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains in Europe. It is characterized by having five needles bundled together (fascicles of five). It produces edible seeds known as cembra nuts (or Swiss stone pine nuts) and a resinous exudate.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Pinus cembra is highly valued for its timber and its resistance to harsh mountain climates.
  • We collected cembra nuts from the Pinus cembra trees growing near the timberline.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and forestry contexts: The term is used precisely to refer to this specific species, distinguishing it from other five-needled pines like the Siberian pine ().
  • The study compared the growth rates of Pinus cembra and Pinus sylvestris in subalpine zones.

Variants and Related Words

• Swiss pine / Swiss stone pine: Common English names for .
• Arolla pine: Another common name, derived from its name in the Val d'Aosta region.
• Cembra nut / Swiss stone pine nut: The edible seed of the tree.
• Cembran: Pertaining to or derived from the (less common).

Synonyms

• Swiss pine
• Arolla pine
• Swiss stone pine

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Conifer: The type of tree ( is a conifer).
• Stone pine: A related term, but typically refers to , the Mediterranean stone pine.

Noun

1. large five-needled European pine; yields cembra nuts and a resinous exudate