Pinus monophylla - Singleleaf Pinyon

Description

Pinon Pine is unique in that it only has one needle to a bundle- still called a "bundle" because the bases of the young needles are enclosed with a membraneous wrapping. The trees are small with stout, branching trunks, although it may grow to 45'. The cone is much larger than the needles and the four-sided thick, knobby scales each hold two large, very edible nuts. Unlike most pines, these nuts do not have wings. A slow growing tree of dry rocky canyon sides, ridges and mesas. It will endure temperatures varying from -2 to 122 degrees F.