Common Name: Parry Piñon

General Information

Pinus quadrifolia is an evergreen tree with a dense crown that can become rounded; it can grow up to 10 metres tall. The bole is straight, but much branched and around 50cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible seeds, which are often sold in local markets[].
Although its native range is quite small, Pinus quadrifolia is not harvested as a timber tree and it is adapted to fires that occur regularly in the region. There is no evidence of a decline in the population, The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

South-western N. America - southern California, Baja Norte.

Habitat

Arid mesas at lower elevations and in mixed coniferous forests at higher elevations, often growing on mountain slopes and sometimes in cracks among boulders; at elevations from 900 - 2,700 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pinus quadrifolia grows in the Mediterranean climate of southern California, with long, hot and dry summers and mild, moist to wet winters. The mean annual precipitations ranges from 300 - 500mm. It is not a very cold-tolerant plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures falling to around -10°c when fully dormant[].
Pine species in general require a sunny position if they are to grow well and, whilst the different species have their own soil preferences, most will thrive in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam[, ]. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils[]. Established plants tolerate drought, succeeding in a hot dry position[].
This species is closely related to Pinus cembroides and is considered to be no more than a sub-species of it by some botanists[]. The main difference is that this species has its leaves in bundles of four or five whilst Pinus cembroides has them in bundles of two or three[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[]. It extensively hybridizes with P. californiarum in most of its range[].
The broadly ovoid seed cones are 3 - 10cm long, taking two growing seasons to mature. They open and shed their seed whilst still attached to the tree, falling soon thereafter[, ].
This is one of several species of pine that have a mutualistic relationship with species of birds in the family Corvidae (in this case Jays and Nutcrackers) to disperse its seed. The birds have powerfull beaks which enable them to extricate the seeds and crack the shells. They store many of the seeds at some distance from the parent plant - some of these seeds never get eaten and can germinate and grow into new trees[].
A slow growing tree, taking 25 years from sowing until it produces a crop of seeds[]. The tree is long-lived, taking 250 - 350 years to reach maturity[].
Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow under the trees[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , ]. An important food crop for the native peoples of Baja California[, ], the oil-rich seed has a mild resinous flavour and a pleasant soft texture. A good size, up to 16mm long[]. The seed contains about 11% protein, 37% fat, 44% carbohydrate[].

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[].

Medicinal

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and vermifuge[, ]. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections[]. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

Agroforestry Uses:

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[].

Other Uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

The roots have been used to make baskets[].

The bark has been used as a roofing material in houses[].

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[]. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood[, ]. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields[].
Oil of Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin[] and is separated by distillation[, ]. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for thinning and dissolving varnish and paints, a shoe polish, medicinal etc[, ].
Rosin is also obtained by distillation of pine resin. This is used in paper glue and soap manufacturing, as a constituent of varnishes and paints, and for coating the bows of stringed musical instruments such as violins[, ].
Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc[].
The pitch has been used as a face cream to prevent sunburn[].
The pitch can be used as an adhesive on pottery etc[].

The wood is light in weight, soft, close grained[]. Little used as a timber, its main value is as a fuel for local use, burning well and giving off a pleasant odour[, ].

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[]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[]. 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[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
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[].