Piñon pine

Piñon pine (or Pinyon pine), which grow in the Southwestern U.S and in Mexico, yield edible piñon nuts, which were a staple of the Native Americans. The fragrance of the wood, especially when burned, is an unmistakable token of the American West.

There are several species of Piñon pine (Family Pinaceae):

• Pinus cembroides – Mexican piñon
• Pinus edulis – Colorado piñon, Two-needle piñon
• Pinus juarezensis – Juárez piñon
• Pinus monophylla – Singleleaf piñon
• Pinus quadrifolia – Parry piñon

Many of these species are known to hybridize.

The Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) takes its name from the tree, and piñon nuts form an important part of its diet - but it is of course by no means the only animal to eat them.

External links

• Pinus monophylla U.S. Forest Service
• Pinus cembroides U.S. Forest Service
• Pinus quadrifolia U.S. Forest Service
• Pinus edulis U.S. Forest Service