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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Pinus quadrifolia

Pinus quadrifolia Parl. ex Sudw.

Parry Pinyon, Four-leaf Pinyon

Pinaceae (Pine Family)

Synonym(s): Pinus juarezensis

USDA Symbol: PIQU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small resinous tree with spreading rounded crown and low, horizontal branches; often shrubby. A small, pinyon pine with noteable symmetry and neatness. Grows slowly to 20 ft.; rarely any taller. Needles are blue-green and in groups of four.

The edible seeds are not gathered commercially because of the tree's limited distribution. Rodents (especially woodrats), other mammals, and birds consume the small annual crop.

 

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Fascicled
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Cone
Size Notes: Up to about 30 feet tall, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Rare & local in mts. of s. CA & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry slopes; 2500-5500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed.
Seed Treatment: Fresh seeds require no treatment; stored seeds need 1 month stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pinus quadrifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pinus quadrifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus quadrifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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