Pinus californiarum

D. Bail.

Pinaceae Edible: Seeds Potential hazards — see below 1,028 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· pd

Joshua Tree National Park, no known copyright restrictions (public domain)

iNaturalist· pd

Joshua Tree National Park, no known copyright restrictions (public domain)

Summary

Evergreen tree reaching 10m tall. Hardy to UK zone 9. Evergreen with seeds ripening in October. Wind-pollinated, not self-fertile. Monoecious. Tolerates light sandy and medium loamy well-drained soils; grows in poor soils and mildly acid to alkaline pH. Requires full sun. Adapts to drought.

Description

Edible Uses

The seed is eaten raw or cooked and is fairly large at around 12mm long. Oil-rich with a delicious flavour, it carries a slight taste of resin. The pulpwood also yields a vanillin flavouring as a by-product of resin processing.

Medicinal Uses

Turpentine drawn from pine resin is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient, and vermifuge. Taken internally, it treats kidney and bladder complaints; used internally and as a rub or steam bath, it addresses rheumatic conditions. It benefits the respiratory system and helps with mucous membrane diseases, coughs, colds, influenza, and TB. Applied externally via liniment plasters, poultices, steam baths, and inhalers, it treats skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, and boils.

Known Hazards

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

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Central America, Mexico, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam. Well adapted for poor sandy soils. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils and shady positions. Starts away well on almost any soil, whether poorly drained or shallow and dry. Established plants tolerate drought. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, the dormant tree tolerates temperatures down to an occasional low of about -5°c. The cones open and shed their seed whilst still attached to the tree. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. This species is closely related to P. monophylla and P. edulis. It is treated as no more than a synonym of P. monophyla by some botanists. Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby inhibiting the growth of other plants below the tree. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Sow seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, or in late winter. Cold stratification at 4°c for 6 weeks can improve germination of stored seed. Move seedlings to permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them through their first winter or two. Because plants have a very sparse root system, early planting is important for good establishment. Plant trees when small — between 30 and 90cm, ideally around 5–10cm tall — with a thorough weed-excluding mulch. Larger transplants establish poorly and may show little growth for several years, with lasting damage to root development and wind resistance. Cuttings can be taken only from trees less than 10 years old, using single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding a few weeks before taking cuttings can help, though cuttings are generally slow to establish.

Other Uses

The needles yield a tan or green dye. They also contain terpene, which is leached out by rain and inhibits germination in certain plants, including wheat. Oleo-resins occur in all pine tissues but are often insufficient for commercial extraction; they are obtained by tapping the trunk or through destructive distillation of the wood. Warmer-climate trees generally yield more. Turpentine makes up roughly 20% of the oleo-resin and is separated by distillation; it serves as a solvent for waxes, in varnish-making, and medicinally. The remaining rosin is used on violin bows and in sealing wax and varnish. Pitch derived from the resin is used for waterproofing and as a wood preservative.