The leaves ('needles') are in fascicles of five, slender, 7–13 cm (2+3⁄4–5 in) long, and deep green to blue-green, with stomata confined to a bright white band on the inner surfaces.

The cones are ovoid, massive, 15–27 cm (6–10+3⁄4 in) long and 8–14 cm (3+1⁄4–5+1⁄2 in) broad and up to 2 kg (4.4 lb) weight when closed, green at first, ripening yellow-brown when 26–28 months old, with very thick, woody scales, typically 30–60 fertile scales.

The seeds are 2–3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) long, with a thick shell, with a vestigial 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wing; the seedlings have 18–24 cotyledons, the highest number reported for any plant.

It occurs at moderate altitudes, from 1800–2400 m and 21° North latitude, in warm and temperate, dry climate conditions.

Because of its isolation in a remote area, it escaped discovery until 1964, when the Mexican botanist Jerzy Rzedowski noticed some unusually large pine nuts (piñones) sold in the markets of local villages, and investigated the area to find their source.