The species intermixes with Pinus monophylla sbsp. It lives in foothills where the pinyon pines "Pinus edulis" and "Pinus monophylla" occur. It takes its name from the Pinyon pine ("Pinus monophylla") trees native to the area. Juniperus monosperma, Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum at higher elevations, Pinus monophylla var. Higher Sierra elevations have single-leaf pinyon pine ("Pinus monophylla"). It grows at moderate altitudes of , on dry soils, often together with "Pinus monophylla". The reserve also includes areas of Single-leaf Pinyon "(Pinus monophylla)" juniper woodland and pasture land. At the other extreme, "Pinus monophylla" has fascicles of one needle, rarely two.