Pinyon Pine is the source of commercially sold pine nuts, which have been a staple food for southwestern indigenous peoples for thousands of years. It forms characteristic pinyon-juniper woodlands across the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. Clark's nutcracker and Steller's jay are important seed dispersers, caching far more seeds than they eat.
Best time to see a Pinyon Pine
The best time to see a Pinyon Pine is January–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,291 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Pinyon Pine? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Pinyon Pine sightings near you
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