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Pinus edulis
| Common name: |
Rocky Mountain Piñ on |
Family: |
Pinaceae |
| Author: |
Engelm. |
Botanical references: |
11, 82, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
Pinus cembroides edulis ((Engelm.)Voss.) |
| Known Hazards: |
The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[222]. |
| Range: |
South-western N. America - Rocky mountains. |
| Habitat: |
Eastern foothills of the outer reaches of the Rockies on arid mesas in pure stands or with junipers[120]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
4 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 2 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| P. cembroides var. edulis[G,P]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Colorado Pinyon [FEIS], Pinyon Pine [DEN1], Trememtina De Pinon [E], True Pinyon [L], Two-needle Pinyon [B], Twoneedle Pinyon [P], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
edulis = edible
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Pinales. Pine family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Us
Us(Amerindian) Us(Nm)
|
Physical Characteristics
An evergreen tree growing to 15m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 5. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind.
The plant not is self-fertile.
We rate it 4/5 for edibility and
2/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil.
It cannot grow in the shade.
It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Woodland, Canopy.Edible Uses
Condiment
Gum Inner bark Seed Seedpod Tea.
Seed - raw or cooked[82, 177]. A slightly resinous flavour, but
delicious raw or cooked[2, K]. The seed can be ground into a meal and used in
stews, making bread, cakes etc and in making nut butter[183]. The seed is up
to 25mm long[160]. Rich in oil, protein[183] and thiamine[160]. The seed
contains about 15% protein[213]. An important item of food for the local
Indians, it is also sold in local markets of Colorado and New Mexico[61, 82].
About 450,000 kilos of the seeds are sold in American markets each year[229].
The leaves can be brewed into a tea[183, 257].
Immature female cones - roasted. The soft centre forms a sweet syrupy
food[183].
Inner bark - cooked. A sweet flavour, it is cut into strips and cooked like
spaghetti[183]. Inner bark can also be dried, ground into a powder and used
as a thickening in soups or can be mixed with cereal flours when making bread
etc[257].
The pitch from the trunk can be hardened and used as a chewing gum[257].
A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are
released from the pulpwood[200].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Antiseptic
Depurative Diuretic Emetic Expectorant Pectoral Plaster Rubefacient VD Vermifuge.
The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pine trees is antiseptic,
diuretic, rubefacient and vermifuge[4]. It is a valuable remedy in the
treatment of kidney, bladder and rheumatic affections, and also in diseases
of the mucous membranes and the treatment of respiratory complaints[4].
Externally it is used in the form of liniment plasters and poultices on cuts,
boils, burns and various skin problems[4, 257]. The heated pitch has been
applied to the face to remove facial hair[257].
The gum is used as a plaster on cuts and sores[216].
An infusion of the leaves has been used as an emetic to cleanse the
stomach[257]. The leaves have been chewed in the treatment of venereal
diseases[257]. The leaves have been burnt and the smoke inhaled as a
treatment for colds[257].
The inner bark is expectorant[257].
Other Uses
Adhesive
Dye Fuel Herbicide Ink Paint Resin Wood.
A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[168].
The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain
washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of
some plants, including wheat[201].
This species yields a resin, but it is not commercially important.
Oleo-resins are present in the tissues of all species of pines, but these are
often not present in sufficient quantity to make their extraction
economically worthwhile[64]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or
by destructive distillation of the wood[4, 64]. In general, trees from warmer
areas of distribution give the higher yields[64]. Turpentine consists of an
average of 20% of the oleo-resin[64] and is separated by distillation[4, 64].
Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for
making varnish, medicinal etc[4]. Rosin is the substance left after
turpentine is removed. This is used by violinists on their bows and also in
making sealing wax, varnish etc[4]. Pitch can also be obtained from the resin
and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc.
The gum (this almost certainly means the resin[K]) is used in waterproofing
baskets, canoes etc, for repairing pottery vessels and in making turquoise
mosaic[216, 257]. It has also been used as a red paint on jars and
bowls[257]. For waterproofing containers, the gum was melted and poured
inside the container. The container was then turned round to ensure the gum
came into contact with all parts of the inside. More gum would then be
applied to the outside[257].
The resin has been used as a glue for fixing turquoise in jewellery[257].
The gum has been used, with sumac leaves (Rhus spp) and yellow ochre to make
a black dye and ink[257]. The sumac leaves are boiled until there is a strong
mixture. Whilst the sumac was boiling, the ochre was powdered and roasted.
The gum was then added to the ochre and the whole roasted again. As the
roasting proceeded, the gum melted and finally the mixture was reduced to a
black powder. This was then cooled and thrown into the sumac mixture, forming
a rich blue-black fluid that was essentially an ink[257].
Wood - light, soft, not strong, brittle. Used for fuel, fencing etc[61, 82].
A charcoal made from the wood is used in smelting[82]. The wood makes a good
fuel, burning with few sparks being thrown out[257].
Cultivation details
Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[1, 11]. Dislikes
poorly drained moorland soils[1]. Established plants tolerate drought[200].
Succeeds in a hot dry position[200]. Prefers an acid soil in full sun[160].
A very hardy species, tolerating temperatures down to about -35° c when it is
fully dormant[160].
A slow-growing but long-lived tree in the wild[185, 229], it takes about 25
years from seed before it produces seed[117]. It then produces good crops
every 3 - 4 years[229]. The cones open and shed their seed whilst still
attached to the tree[226]. Trees take about 250 - 350 years to reach full
maturity[181].
This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a form of P.
cembroides, its main difference from that species is that it has leaves in
bundles of two whereas P. cembroides usually has bundles of three[200].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows
poorly[200]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[200].
Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the
amount of plants that can grow below the tree[18].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].
Propagation
It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon
as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short
stratification of 6 weeks at 4° c can improve the germination of stored
seed[80]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as
possible and protect them for their first winter or two[11]. Plants have a
very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent
positions the better they will grow[K]. Trees should be planted into their
permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[200]. We
actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they
are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well[K].
Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years.
This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[200].
Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than
10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot.
Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help.
Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[81].
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
PFAF Web Pages
This plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [L] Scientific and Common Names (some photos)
from Lepidoptera and some other life forms
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [V] Images
from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A& M Bioinformatics Working Group.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [C] Taxon data.
from the CalFlora database.
- Images
from the CalPhoto database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [S] SW USA Dist. Maps
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
- [DEN] Data _ Photos
(Good Identification info) from the Virginia Tech's Dendrology Deptarments' Tree Fact Sheets.
- [FEIS] Data
(Uses, Ecology, Fire Effects) from the USDA Forestry Service Fire Effects Information System.
References for the family Pinaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[18] Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.
[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[64] Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
[80] McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
[81] Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X
Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
[82] Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X
Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader.
[117] Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. 1984 ISBN 0802707699
A very readable and comprehensive guide. Well illustrated.
[120] ? The Plantsman. Vol. 2. 1980 - 1981. Royal Horticultural Society 1980
Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants including Billardiera spp, Calochortus spp, Drimys spp.
[160] Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Fascinating reading, this is an annual publication. Some reports do seem somewhat exaggerated though.
[168] Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
A very good and readable book on dyeing.
[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
[181] Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S. King. Arizona. 1962
Very readable flora but rather lacking botanically. A few notes on useful plants.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[185] Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975 ISBN 0-11-710012-9
A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.
[213] Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
A nice book to read though it is difficult to look up individual plants since the book is divided into separate sections dealing with the different medicinal uses plus a section on edible plants. Common names are used instead of botanical.
[216] Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939
A very good guide the the plant uses of the N. American Hopi Indians.
[222] Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990 ISBN 0395467225
A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
[226] Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989 ISBN 0889025649
Very good on identification for non-experts, the book also has a lot of information on plant uses.
[229] Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980 ISBN 0442238622
A very good concise guide. Gives habitats, good descriptions, maps showing distribution and a few of the uses. It also includes the many shrubs that occasionally reach tree proportions.
[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
Readers Comments
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Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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