Pinus longaeva

Bristlecone pine, Bristlecone Pine

Family: Pinaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.3

Bristlecone pine is a California native shrub found in western Inyo and northern Desert Mountains in subalpine forest at elevations of 2,200 to 3,700 meters. With a distinctive growth habit, this species produces multiple twisted trunks less than 16 meters tall, featuring a bushy, irregular crown with red-brown bark. Growing with five needles per bundle, typically 1 to 4 centimeters long and often marked with white resin spots, the tree develops dark red-brown seed cones 5 to 14 centimeters long with small stiff prickles at the scale tips. Its mature form is characterized by strong tapering and complex, gnarled branching that allows it to survive in harsh high-elevation environments. The pollen cones of this remarkable tree mature to a deep red color, contributing to its unique visual character.

Habitat: Subalpine forest

Elevation: 2200-3700 m

Bioregions: W&ampI, n DMtns

California counties: Inyo, Mono

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.