The longest-lived non-clonal organisms on Earth. The oldest known bristlecone pine ("Methuselah") is over 4,800 years old — alive when the Egyptian pyramids were built.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Pinus longaeva is a long-living species of bristlecone pine tree found in the higher mountains of California, Nevada, and Utah. In 1987, the bristlecone pine was designated one of Nevada's state trees.
Source: Wikipedia — Pinus longaeva Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Twisted gnarled appearance with bristle-tipped needles in bundles of five.
Similar species. Limber Pine. Foxtail Pine.
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis with extremely efficient water use
Behavior. Grows in extreme high-elevation environments.
§ Range
Mountain ranges of eastern California, Nevada, Utah
§ Habitat
High-elevation (9,500–11,500 ft) windswept rocky slopes
§ Threats
Mountain pine beetle outbreaks (climate-driven), white pine blister rust, foot traffic damaging roots, vandalism.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the great basin bristlecone pine is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Stay on designated trails. Support White Mountain and Great Basin protection. Reduce fossil fuel emissions to slow climate stressors.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Pinus longaeva
- www.nps.gov — authoritative profile of Pinus longaeva
- IUCN Red List · taxon 34027
- iNaturalist · taxon 52078
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Pinus longaeva
§ Sources cited
- USDA Forest Service Inyo National Forest
- Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
- IUCN Red List 2011
