[1] It is endemic to Cuba, where it was described to be a hybrid of Pinus cubensis and another species of pine.

This is proved to be not viable though, with hybridization as a main cause of the DNA differences, not evolution.

[2] The known hybrid individuals reside in isolated stands on the Sierra Maestra, a mountain range in southern Cuba.

[3][4] Parts of the upper canopy on the Sierra Maestra are actually dominated by the hybrid pine species.

[3] Johannes Bisse described the type in 1975, assigning it the scientific name Pinus maestrensis.