11 April 2011

Pinus aristata, Bristlecone Pine

The name Aristata comes from the Bristlecone Pine, Pinus aristata. It is native to the United States, growing in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and northern New Mexico. 
It grows at very high altitudes, in cold, dry subalpine climates.  
They are highly adapted to extremely harsh conditions and often live to be thousands of years old. Their structure is expressively contorted and magical.