pinyon pine

Pinus edulis

Pinyon pine -- Pinus edulis

Pronunciation: pie’-nus ed-u’-lis

Leaves: acicular, fascicles of 2 (rarely 1 or 3), ½” - 1 ¾” long, thick, margins entire (smooth), medium green with white stripes along the needles, curved, distinctive odor when crushed. Persistent (3 - 9 years)

Cones: 1” - 1 ½” long, subglobose, cones have very few scales; thick, dorsal umbo, unarmed, and resinous

Bark: The bark is thin, gray to reddish-brown or nearly black. The trunk is frequently twisted and crooked. The bark is irregularly furrowed with small scales.

Twig: Twigs are smooth when young. Branches are rough and scaly

Bud: short and pointed, resinous, scales are small

Habit/Form: Short to medium height (15’ - 20’ tall x 10’ - 15’ wide), compact, dense, round shape. Slow growing

Other:

-4,500’ - 6,500’ “pinyon-juniper belt” “PJ”

-Range: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico

-Small trees (20’ - 60’); appear deliquescent - occur with juniper

-Shade intolerant; climax in arid locations, likes dry rocky soils, often between sagebrush and ponderosa pine

-“Edulis” means edible - this is the tree which “pine nuts” are harvested from

-Note: not all pinyon pines or pinons have 2 needles: single-leaf pinon - P. monophylla - 1 needle, Mexican pinon - P. cembroides 2 or 3 needles, and Parry pinon - P. quadrifolia 4 needles and are all found in other areas.

-Large wingless seeds (nuts)

-Was a principal food for indigenous people