Pignolia (Pinus edulis, F.A.Wislizenus, Mem. Tour N. Mexico: 88 (1848))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: Engelm.

Bibliography: F.A.Wislizenus, Mem. Tour N. Mexico: 88 (1848)

Year: 1848

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pinus

Vegetable: False

Observations: WC. U.S.A. to NW. Texas

Description

Pignolia, scientifically known as Pinus edulis, is a significant species within the Pinaceae family. This small to medium-sized pine tree is native to the southwestern United States, flourishing in the regions from western central U.S.A. to northwestern Texas.

The notoriety of Pignolia comes, in part, from its historical documentation by the botanist and explorer F.A. Wislizenus in his work “Mem. Tour N. Mexico: 88” published in 1848, under the authorship of Engelm. Pinus edulis is adapted to arid environments, often found in the dry mountainous and foothill regions, demonstrating a resilient nature that has helped it to thrive across its native range.

One of the most notable aspects of Pignolia is its edible seeds, known as pine nuts, which are a valued food source not only for wildlife but also for human consumption, historically relied upon by Native American tribes. The seeds are harvested and enjoyed for their rich, buttery flavor and nutritional benefits.

Pignolia trees are identifiable by their short, bushy appearance with rugged, bark-covered trunks that add to the ecological tapestry of their native habitats. The evergreen needles of Pignolia, typically growing in pairs, contribute to its distinctive foliage and play a role in the tree’s photosynthetic efficiency and drought resistance.

In the realm of conservation, Pignolia’s importance extends beyond its immediate ecological contributions. It serves as a symbol of the unique biodiversity present in its native regions, highlighting the intricate balance of life adapted to specific environmental conditions.

Given its historical, ecological, and economic significance, Pinus edulis, or Pignolia, remains a tree of great interest to botanists, ecologists, and those invested in the preservation of native plant species and their habitats.

Common Names

Eng: american pinon, colorado pinyon, pinyon, pinyon pine, rocky mountain nut pine, two-leaf pinyon, two-needle pinyon pine, nut pine, pignolia, piñon pine, two-needle pinyon, twoneedle pinyon
Hun: kéttus diófenyo
Fra: pin pignon du colorado, pin à amandes
Ita: pino edule
Spa: piñon, piñon colorado, piñonero de dos hojas, piñón, piñón de colorado
Rus: сосна съедобная (sosna s’edobnaya)
Zho: 食松 (shi song)
En: Pignolia, Pinyon, Pinyon pine, American pinon, Colorado pinyon, Twoneedle pinyon, Pinon pine, Two-needle Pinyon Pine, Rocky Mountain nut pine, Two-leaf pinyon, Nut pine, Piñon pine, Two-needle pinyon
Ar: صنوبر مأكول
Zh: 納瓦霍麨始松, 食松 (shi song)
Cs: Borovice jedlá
Et: Kaljumägede mänd
Fi: Coloradonpähkinämänty
Fr: Pin pignon du Colorado, Pin à amandes
He: אורן דו-מחטי
Hu: Kéttus diófenyo
It: Pino edule
Kv: Колорадоись пожум
Fa: کاج کلرادو
Ru: Сосна колорадская, Сосна съедобная (sosna s’edobnaya)
Es: Piñón, Piñón de Colorado, Piñon, Piñon Colorado, Piñonero de dos hojas

Synonyms

• Caryopitys edulis ((Engelm.) Small)
• Pinus cembroides subsp. edulis ((Engelm.) A.E.Murray)
• Pinus monophylla var. edulis ((Engelm.) M.E.Jones)
• Pinus cembroides var. edulis ((Engelm.) Voss)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Wyoming (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Apr 27, 2015 by EOL − Robb Hannawacker (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 1, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2019 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2019 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 16, 2020 by Nick (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2021 by Desert Dimes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Victoria Hatfield (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2019 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Bella J Posey (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 22, 2018 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 22, 2018 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 22, 2018 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Aug 1, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2001 by EOL − Robert Potts (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Bella J Posey (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bryan Ungard from Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (public)

Taken May 19, 2009 by EOL − Bryant (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Niehaus, T.F. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Bella J Posey (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5285796)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:196975-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pinus edulis Engelm.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.5

Ph minimum: 6.5