Limber pine -- Pinus flexilis

Pronunciation: pie’-nus flek’-sil-iss

Leaves: acicular, fascicles of 5 (or possibly 4), 2” -3 ½”, persistent (5+ years), dark green, clustered at branch ends, firm, margins are smooth

Cones: 3” - 10” long, cylindric to ovoid, light yellow-brown; thick, stiff scales, terminal umbo, unarmed (no prickle); wingless seeds, large seed cavity; no stalk; very resinous

Bark: Young: silvery white to greenish gray, thin

Old: dark brown to black - rectangular, scaly plates, furrowed

Twig: Very flexible, smooth, covered in white hairs when young. Gray when older

Bud: Red-brown, fat and pointed

Habit/Form: 25’ - 50’ tall, broad open crown, montane to timberline

Other:

-4,000’ - 11,500’; found on dry, rocky slopes

-Plume-like, drooping branches

-Does not hold up well to competition

-Grows in places other species don’t

-Typically seral species

-Range: Rocky Mountains, central and southern California

https://www.plantmaps.com/nrm-pinus-flexilis-limber-pine-native-range-map