The leaves ('needles') are in fascicles of five, slender, 3–5.5 cm long, and deep green to blue-green, with stomata confined to a bright white band on the inner surfaces.

Because of its isolation on a handful of remote mountain summits, Potosí pinyon escaped discovery until 1959.

It differs from most other pinyon species in needle number, with 5 per fascicle, rather than 1–4, and in its consistently shrubby stature.

Like these two, the white-glaucous inner surfaces of the needles make it a very attractive slow-growing shrub, suitable for small gardens.

Like other pinyons, the pine nut seeds are edible, but the inaccessibility of the plants prevents significant collection for food.