1909] 



PHILLIPS A STUDY OF PINON PINE 



221 



Seed years usually occur at five-year intervals, but have been 

 reported at shorter intervals than this. The seed is well rounded at 

 the base, tapering with prominent ridges to an acute point. It is 

 usually dark brown on the lower side, with more or less mottled 

 orange yellow on the upper side, 9 to i2.5 mm (0.375 to -5 in ) l n g> 

 6.5 to 9 mm (0.25 to o.375 in ) broad, with a thin shell which cracks 

 most easily along the line of the most prominent ridge. The seed 

 wings are about one-half the length of the seed, easily detached, and 

 of no practical use in seed distribution. The seeds usually have a 

 high percentage of infertility, which varies from 5 to 20 per cent., 

 but in one case went as high as 85 per cent. Poor seeds are often 

 lighter in color than good seeds. Germination power is lost very 

 readily, which necessitates special storing when they are to be used 

 for artificial planting, and good site-conditions when the stands are 

 to be reproduced naturally. It is a matter of note that the seeds from 

 the northern portion of the range are usually considered better than 

 those from the south. Five samples collected in various localities 

 gave the following results : 



Weevils sometimes affect the seed before the cones open. Birds 

 and rodents eat the seed extensively, and stores are made by moun- 

 tain rats which were found to contain a maximum of 35 to yo 1 (i to 2 

 bushels) of clean seed. Ants are known to eat seed, especially at 

 lower levels. In the early days, the Indians and Mexicans used the 

 pifion as a staple article of food. At present, it is gathered in immense 

 quantities and sold as a delicacy. It is eaten most extensively in and 

 about the region where the tree grows naturally, but large amounts 

 are being sold at fruit stands throughout most of the United States. 

 To prevent the seeds from spoiling and to retain flavor, they are 

 usually baked immediately after being gathered. 



