A small, hardy, drought - resistant native to the higher rocky foothills from Idaho to Mexico. This species is rugged in appearance and a slow growing pinon.
Seeds are eaten raw or roasted. They are also ground and made into pancakes. The cones take three separate growing seasons or a time span of 26 months to mature and are susceptible to adverse weather conditions, such as frosts or heavy and prolonged spring rains during the developmental periods. There also tend to be cycles of good and poor years, with a good crop one year often followed by several poor years.