Eldar Pine, an Azerbaijani endemic

Baku, March 5, AZERTAC

Azerbaijan has a rich and unique flora with over 4,500 different types of flowering plants. There are 240 endemic plant species in the country. Endemic plants are species that are spread in a limited area and grow only in the local climate.

Eldar Pine (Pinus eldarica) - is endemic to Azerbaijan, grows on the east-facing slopes of the Eldar-Oyughu range, western part of the Eldarian steppe. In November 1910, a botanical reserve of 3,500 hectares was declared and protected in the Eldar pine area, the first protected area in the Caucasus.

It is an evergreen coniferous tree with height of about 21 metres. The pine needle is rich with carotene and vitamin C, the tree is saturated with tar and the timber is used as the main building material.

In accordance with the IUCN Red List its status is defined as “Near Threatened (NT).” Eldarian Pine; it is the symbol of arid mountains.

Eldar Pine can be found in the territory of the Old Boulevard, the National Flag Square and Agh Shahar – White City.