Pinus monophylla

The single-leaf pinyon is native to the United States and northwest Mexico. The range is in southernmost Idaho, western Utah, Arizona, southwest New Mexico, Nevada, eastern and southern California and northern Baja California, mostly between 1,200 m to 2,300 m in elevation.

There is significant geographical overlap with the two-needle pinyon (P. edulis), but the two-needle extends further eastward into Colorado and New Mexico.

It often is associated with junipers such as Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum). The tree is generally small but can reach up to 10 m in height

• Needle is single (rarely in bundles of 2) which is unique for pines, and 4–6 cm long, stout, slightly curved and sharp-tipped. The fascicle sheath sheds after one year.
• Species is monoecious; male pollen cones are pale yellow, cylindrical in tight clusters at ends of branches; young females are purplish, in small group at branch tips.
• Female seed cones ripen over 2 years and have deep cavities for wingless seeds. Seeds have a shell that can be easily cracked with the teeth and deliciously eaten.