Twoneedle Pinyon
Pinus edulis
- Native to:
- United States
jotor at Flickr (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Pinus
- Species:
- Pinus edulis
- USDA Symbol:
- PIED
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1524 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Coleotechnites edulicola, Cydia colorana, Dasychira grisefacta, Doris' pinemoth (Coloradia doris), Eucosma bobana, Giant Lophocampa (Lophocampa ingens), Petrova arizonensis, pulmonaria stenoporpia (Stenoporpia pulmonaria), Velda pinemoth (Coloradia velda), Menapia White (Neophasia menapia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Thick bark provides some fire resistance; can resprout after low-severity fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid, high-altitude regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 30-90 days.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are imbibed in water for 2 days and then artificially stratified in a refrigerator for 90 days. Alternatively, seeds can be removed from storage and placed in water at room temperature for 12 - 18 hours, then stratified for 14 - 28 days at temperatures ranging from 2 to 4°C. Some protocols suggest no pre-treatment is necessary.
Establishment: Seeds are typically collected during the fall months. There are regional variations in the protocols, and some suggest no pre-treatment is necessary. The protocols also vary in terms of sowing date, with some suggesting late spring and others suggesting fall.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)