Bristle-cone pine, Colorado bristlecone pine
Pinus aristata
Family: Pinaceae
What it is like
A small soft pine. The bark is green and smooth but becomes reddish brown and cracked with age. The needles are in bundles of 5. They are 2-4 cm long. They remain on the tree for up to 20 years. They are curved and dark green. They are tufted towards the tip of the shoot. The seed cones are oval and 4-8 cm long. They are blunt tipped, greyish-brown and without stalks. The scales have a long slender prickle.
There are over 100 species of Pinus.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It can grow on poor soils. It cannot tolerate shade. It suits hardiness zones 4-7. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
It is slow growing. It lives for a long time. Trees can live for 5000 years.