Pinus edulis

Pinus edulis is an evergreen that can be found throughout the Southern Rocky Mountain region, which includes the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Utah. Pinus edulis can be found in small stands or alone in the elevation range of ~4,000-9,000 ft, and grow to heights of ~45 ft. It can also be found in plateaus, mesas, and woodlands. The Pinus edulis has adapted to a range of temperatures, soils, and moisture conditions.

Edulis is the Latin word for 'edible,' thus the translation is 'edible pine.' The reason why it is named Pinus edulis comes from the fact that each ovoid shaped cone contains two large pine nuts in each large scale that mature in the fall, and are edible.

Pinus edulis is a monoecious tree, meaning that it produces both male and female gametes. Male gametes are red and found in clusters near the branch ends. Females are purple and found at the tips of the branches, and produce the edible nuts that are its name sake.

The needles can be used in identifying the Pinus edulis for the occur almost always as pairs and are ¾" - 1½" long, are stiff and thick, and a yellow-green / blue-green color

Pinus edulis has a history of medicinal uses that range from needles being used as a gentle diuretic, and needles being boiled for tea. The pitch has been used for comforting atrophied limbs, a slave that soothes irritated skin and acts as a sun block, and for applying to skin to remove splinters and such imbedded in the skin.

The tree also plays an import role as a food source for many mammals and birds in its region. It also played an important role in the life of the Anasazi that lived in the same geographic region.