Botanical Name: Pinus aristata
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Common Name: Bristlecone Pine  
Plant photo of: Pinus aristata
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  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

 

Height Range

12-25'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Brown, Purple

 

Fruit Season

Winter, Fall

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Linda Engstrom/Thompson
  • Description

  • Notes

Bristlecone pine is a slow-growing evergreen tree with an irregular and picturesque form, growing to about 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, maybe only growing 4 to 6 inches per year once established. Its stiff, dark green needles are flecked with white sap that look like little crystals. Pine cones are a dark purplish brown, about 3 to 4 inches long, with eah cone scaling having a thorn-like tip, hence the common name.