Species PlantsRocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine

Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine

Pinus aristata

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata)

Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine is one of the world's longest-lived organisms, with trees estimated to be 2,500 years old in the Colorado Rockies. Its dense, bottle-brush needles with white resin flecks and distinctive cones with bristle-tipped scales make it recognizable. It grows in harsh, rocky subalpine environments near treeline.

Habitat
Subalpine rocky slopes near treeline in the southern Rocky Mountains
Diet
Seeds eaten by Clark's nutcracker; shelters small mammals and birds
How common
Uncommon

Recent Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More plants

Adam's Needle
Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Adonis Blazingstar
Adonis Blazingstar
Mentzelia multiflora
Allegheny Blackberry
Allegheny Blackberry
Rubus allegheniensis
Allegheny Monkeyflower
Allegheny Monkeyflower
Mimulus ringens
Allegheny Serviceberry
Allegheny Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis
American Alumroot
American Alumroot
Heuchera americana
American Basswood
American Basswood
Tilia americana
American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana