Scientific Name:
Pinus aristata
Pronunciation:
PYE-nus ar-iss-TAY-tuh
Common Name:
bristlecone pine
Family Name:
Pinaceae
Plant Type:
Conifer
Key ID Features:
Needles contorted, irregular shape; needles 5 per fascicle, (2-)3-4cm long x 0.8-1mm wide, serrulate, dark blue-green, glaucous underneath, persistent (10-17 years); seed cones with each scale with a bristle-like spine (4-)6-8(11)mm long; seeds 5-6mm long, gray-brown to near black; wing about 10-13mm. Conifers.org
Habit:
Dense
Form:
Pyramidal - narrowly
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
5 - 7m
Mature Spread:
3 - 4m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
U.S. - southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado at over 2500m)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Alpine, Container planting, Mixed shrub border, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Specimen plant
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivar shown is P. ‘Sherwood Compact’ (dwarf bristlecone pine).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Needle-like
Arrangement:
Fascicles
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Glaucous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Acicular
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Truncate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
n/a (male cone)
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Colour (petals):
Male cone, No flowers, Yellow, Dark-red, Brown
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Fruit Type:
Cone (winged seeds)
Fruit Colour:
Yellow, Purple, Brown (yellow-buff when mature)
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy, Persistent, cones are ovoid-cylindrical, 5–10cm x 3–4cm when closed, purple at first, ripening yellow-buff when 16 months old, with numerous thin, fragile scales, each scale with a bristle-like spine 4–8mm long
Bark Morphology:
Lightly fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Brown
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid
Organ Modifications:
Ectomycorrhizae, Fibrous-like roots
Propagation:
Seed, Grafting
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Heart rot, Root rot, Scale insects (Drought tolerant)
Specific Pests:
Scale (do not confuse with the resin flecks that are common in species)
