Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

singleleaf pinyon Pinaceae Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frém. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: PIMO
Leaf: Evergreen needles, single (rarely 2 or 3 in a fascicle), stout, slightly curved and sharp-tipped, 1 to 2 inches long, green to gray-green, numerous white stomatal bands; fascicle sheath sheds after first year.
Flower: Species is monoecious; males pale yellow, cylindrical in tight clusters at ends of branches; females purplish, in small group at branch tips.
Fruit: Woody, broadly ovoid cone, reddish brown, short stalked, 2 to 3 inches long, thick, broad, large scales deeply recessed where they held two large wingless seeds, remain on tree for many years.
Twig: Moderate to stout, light reddish brown; buds pointed, ovoid, light reddish brown.
Bark: Initially smooth and light gray, developing reddish brown furrows and dark gray scaly ridges.
Form: A small tree to 40 feet, often with several twisted trunks, branching low and a broad crown.
 Looks like: pinyon pine - Parry pine

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Additional Range Information: Pinus monophylla is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information