Pinus edulis
Colorado pinyon, Colorado Pinyon
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Family: Pinaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.3
Pinus edulis (Colorado pinyon) is a native California tree in the Pinaceae family, recognized by Very limited range in California, distinguished from other pinyons by 2-needle bundles.
Colorado pinyon is a native shrub found in the New York Mountains in pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,300 to 2,700 meters. Although not rare in this range, it develops a distinctive rounded crown with shallow-furrowed red-brown bark. Growing with trunks less than 15 meters tall and typically less than 1.1 meters wide, this tree produces paired dark green needles 2 to 6 centimeters long. Its characteristic seed cones are small and spreading, measuring 3 to 5 centimeters long, with yellow-brown coloration and truncate scale tips. The tree's compact form and dense needles make it well-adapted to its arid mountain woodland habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Very limited range in California, distinguished from other pinyons by 2-needle bundles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1300-2700 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino
Outside California: to southern Wyoming, western Texas, northern Mexico
Conservation status
CNPS 3.3
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudotsuga: Pine needles come bundled in groups with papery sheaths; Douglas-fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs.; vs Abies: Pine needles come bundled in groups of 2-5; fir needles attach individually and directly to twigs.; vs Sequoia: Pine has bundled needles in groups of 2-5; redwood has individual scale-like or awl-shaped leaves on flat sprays.; vs Casuarina: Pine has true needles bundled in groups; Casuarina has jointed branchlets with whorls of tiny scale leaves.; vs Cedrus: Pine needles are bundled in tight clusters of 2-5; cedar needles grow in dense rosette-like clusters on short shoots.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pinus edulis native to California?
Yes. Pinus edulis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Pinus edulis grow?
Pinus edulis occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, at elevations of 1300-2700 m.
What plant family does Pinus edulis belong to?
Pinus edulis is in the Pinaceae family, genus Pinus.
Is Pinus edulis rare or endangered?
Pinus edulis carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Pinus edulis grow in?
Pinus edulis grows in Pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.