Pinus

Pinus, commonly known as pine, is a genus of coniferous trees and shrubs in the family Pinaceae and the sole genus of the subfamily Pinoideae, with species distinguished by needle-like leaves borne in bundles, typically of two to five needles, and seeds carried in pairs on the scales of woody cones. Pines are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, occupying vast areas of boreal taiga forest as well as a diverse range of other habitats, including the Mediterranean Basin and dry tropical forests of Southeast Asia and Central America; many species are notably fire-resistant or even fire-dependent, with some cones opening only after exposure to heat. Pine is among the most extensively harvested timbers in the world, and pine nuts from several species are a valued food used in dishes such as pesto, while pine resin flavours retsina wine.