*Single-leaf pinyon pine

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*Pinus monophylla
SINGLE-LEAF PINYON PINE

Pinaceae
W. North America

Location: map coordinates R-13 (near southwest corner of Conrad Hall), N 39°11'8'' W 75°32'43''

Planting history: planted 4/12/12, by Lou Calabrese and Mike Radebach. Source: Ronny’s Garden World, DE. (Dr. S. Yost, USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant funds).

Description:
  • small to medium-sized evergreen tree, conifer
  • etymology: Pinus = the Latin name; monophylla = one-needled
  • needles single, the only 1-needled pine in the world! (needles occasionally found in pairs); other pines (Pinus) have needles in bundles of 2, 3, or 5
  • cones ca 3”; contain edible seeds (“pine nuts”, “pignoli”), especially important to Native American Indians
  • drought-tolerant ornamental. Not often sold in nurseries because of difficulty in germinating seeds. In nature, seed germination highly dependent on dispersal by pinyon jays
  • native range is western U.S. and northern Mexico (mostly Nevada, California, Utah); 3 subspecies. Forms extensive pinyon-juniper woodlands at moderate altitudes (ca 4,000’-7,500’); suffering habitat destruction by cattle ranching and mining

*Non-native species (not native to Delaware)
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