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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: PerennialHabit: 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 ApplicableDistribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Rare & local in mts. of s. CA & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry slopes; 2500-5500 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil 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 PlantsFNA: Find Pinus quadrifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinus quadrifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-07Research By: TWC Staff