Pinus quadrifolia
Parry pinyon pine, Parry Pinyon Pine
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Family: Pinaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Pinus quadrifolia (Parry pinyon pine) is a native California tree in the Pinaceae family, recognized by Limited to southern California, distinctive 4-needle bundles separate it from other pinyons.
Parry pinyon pine is a California native shrub found in southern Peninsular Ranges and San Jacinto Mountains in pine forest, pinyon/juniper woodland, and chaparral at elevations of 1,100 to 1,800 meters. With a distinctive blue-green foliage, this pine has needles grouped in clusters of 4, typically 2 to 5 centimeters long and slightly curved. Growing as a small tree with a trunk less than 16 meters tall and less than 70 centimeters wide, it develops a red-brown bark as it matures. Its needles are characterized by a whitish appearance on the upper surface and are arranged in deciduous sheaths. The seed cones are spreading, approximately 4 to 8 centimeters long, nearly spherical, and light brown with scale tip knobs less than 15 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Limited to southern California, distinctive 4-needle bundles separate it from other pinyons
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine forest, pinyon/juniper woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 1100-1800 m
California counties: Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Orange, San Luis Obispo, El Dorado
Outside California: northern Baja California
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 quadrifolia native to California?
Yes. Pinus quadrifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Pinus quadrifolia grow?
Pinus quadrifolia occurs in Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Orange, San Luis Obispo, El Dorado, at elevations of 1100-1800 m.
What plant family does Pinus quadrifolia belong to?
Pinus quadrifolia is in the Pinaceae family, genus Pinus.
What habitat does Pinus quadrifolia grow in?
Pinus quadrifolia grows in Pine forest, pinyon/juniper woodland, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.