Pinus longaeva aka Great Basin Bristlecone Pine

Taxonomy

Pinus longaeva, commonly known as the Great Basin bristlecone pine, intermountain bristlecone pine, or western bristlecone pine, is a long-living species of bristlecone pine tree found in the higher mountains of California, Nevada, and Utah. It is a medium-size tree, reaching 5 to 15 meters in height with a trunk diameter of up to 2.5 to 3.6 meters. The bark is bright orange-yellow and thin, while the needles are dark green above and white below. The cones are ovoid-cylindrical, initially green or purple and ripening to orange-buff. These ancient trees have a gnarled and stunted appearance, with reddish-brown bark and deep fissures. Methuselah, a bristlecone pine, is 4,854 years old and is recognized as the oldest known living non-clonal organism on Earth. To protect it, the exact location of this tree is kept secret. The bristlecone pine was designated one of Nevada's state trees in 1987. The leaves of Pinus longaeva persist for an exceptionally long time, with some remaining green for up to 45 years. The cones open to release seeds that are dispersed by the wind or Clark's nutcrackers.

Common names

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, Ancient Pine, Intermountain Bristlecone Pine

How to care for Great Basin Bristlecone Pine

Difficulty

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Intermountain Bristlecone Pine.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.


More info:
Wikipedia