Pinus monophylla var. fallax (Torr.)

by Jason Ramirez, Native Plants Class, Summer 2005
Common names:  Nut pine, pinyon, singleleaf pine (1, 2)
Family: Pinaceae
Synonymy: Pinus cembroides monophylla ((Torr.&Frém.)Voss.) (3)
 

Identification
Growth form: Tree up to 11m and 76 cm diameter.  Branches spreading and ascending, persistent near trunk base, crown usually rounded, dense (2, 3) 
Roots: 
Stem:   Gray to reddish brown, irregularly furrowed or cross-checked, scaly ridges (2, 3)
Leaves:  Needles 1 (rarely 2) per fascicle, gray-green in color, 2-6 cm long, numerous white stomatal bands, leaves persist for 4-6 years fascicle sheath sheds after first year. (2, 3)
Inflorescence/flowers: Monoecious; males pale yellow, cylindrical in tight clusters at ends of branches; females purplish, in small group at branch tips. Wind pollinated (1, 2, 3)
Fruit:  Woody, broadly ovoid cone, reddish brown, short stalked, 3-8 cm long, matures in 2 years, thick, broad, large scales deeply recessed where they held two large wingless seeds, remain on tree for many years.
Similar species:  Pinus edulis (4)

 Ecology

Life history: Evergreen (1, 2, 3)
Native/Introduced:  Native (1, 4)
Phenology:  Seeds ripen in October (3) 
Distribution: USA: Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California; Mexico: Baja California Norte. 1000-2300 m. 

Uses: Seeds are a food source for wildlife and humans.  Native Americans valued the tree for its antiseptic and vulnerary properties as well as the beneficial effects on the respiratory system. Wood used for fence posts and fuel.  Most drought-resistant of all pines (1, 2, 3)

References:

 1.       Epple, Anne O.,  Epple Lewis  E.  1995.  A Field Guide to the  Plants of Arizona.  The Globe Pequot Press.

2.       Gymnosperm Database [On-line]. Available: www.conifers.org/pi/pin/monophylla.htm  Accessed: 2005 June 30.

3.       Plants for a Future [On-line]. Available: www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Pinus+monophylla&CAN=COMIND Accessed: 2005 June 30.

4.       USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Plants Profile. http://plants.usda.gov/