One of my favorite things about Italy (although they are not of course limited only to Italy) are the umbrella or stone pines, pini marittimi (Pinus pinea). Italian pine nuts or pinoli come from this beautiful tree, while Chinese pine nuts (which the Italians frown upon) come from other species. I have also heard that the Chinese pine nuts cause an after-taste for some. A cluster of pines is called a pineta.The booful umbrella pines shown above are from Bibbona on the Tuscan seaside. Wish I were there right now.
