Dragon’s Eye Pine (Pinus densiflora ‘Oculus-draconis’)
Identifying Features
Plant Family: Pinaceae
Leaf: evergreen, needles in bundles of two, slightly twisted, variegated color with yellow bands on green, 3-5 inches long
Twig and Bud: twigs orange-gray, buds are cylindrical, reddish brown, ½ inch long
Flower, Fruit and Seed: seed cones oval to oblong, up to 2 inches long
Bark: flaky and orangish, gray and fissured at base with maturity
Shape and Mature Height: broad, rounded shape, horizontally spreading branches, trunks often crooked, crown often flattened at maturity, 20-40 feet
Garden Value and Considerations
This tree grows in full sun and well-drained soils. It is most notable for the bands of yellow and green on the needles. Looking from the stem tip inward, the needles are said to give the appearance of a dragon’s eye, hence the name. The needle color is better in the summer. The flaky orange bark provides year-round interest.
