Pinus edulis
(Pinyon Pine)
Pinus edulis, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8175
Pinus edulis, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8184
Pinus edulis, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8181
Pinus edulis, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8187
Pinus edulis, Trinidad Lake State Park, Las Animas Co. 8247
| Scientific Name | Pinus edulis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PIED |
| Common Name | Pinyon Pine, Two-needle Pinyon, Colorado Pinyon | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 183336 |
| Family | Pinaceae (Pine) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains to montane (4000 to 9500 ft.); dry soils on mountain slopes, mesas, plateaus; often with junipers. Plant: Small, bushy tree 26 to 56 ft. tall; crowns of young trees are broadly conical, those of old trees are spreading or flat-topped; short, often crooked trunk up to 40 inches diameter with several large, crooked branches; bark is grayish to reddish brown, irregularly and shallowly furrowed; twigs are pale red-brown to tan, aging gray-brown to gray. Needles: Two per fascicle (rarely 1 or 3), 0.8 to 1.6 inches long, sharp-pointed and often upcurved, grayish blue-green. Cones: Male and female cones on same tree; male cones are ellipsoid, about 0.3 inches long, yellowish to red-brown. female cones are ovoid before opening, becoming rounded when mature, 1.2 to 2 inches long and 1.2 to 2.4 inches wide, pale yellow-brown to pale red-brown and resinous; female cones shed their seeds before falling off the tree at the end of the second growing season. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, SEINet and Fire Effects Information System. |
BONAP Distribution Map
Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
I try to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, but cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information presented on this website. I use authoritative references to insure high standards of accuracy and review and update the information frequently.