General: Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis) is a coniferous (cone-bearing) tree with medium-length, roundish needles set in bundles of 5 that radiate in all directions from the twigs. The cones are cylindrical, about 3-inches long, and the cone scales have thick tips.

In Nevada, Limber Pine is an uncommon component of the montane vegetation in the Spring and Sheep mountains in the Transition (Yellow Pine Forests), Canadian (Pine-Fir Forest), and Hudsonian (Bristlecone Forest) life zones. This species is more common north of the Las Vegas region.

Family: Pine (Pinaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Tall straight tree with pointed crown in sheltered areas; short, twisted, and gnarled in more exposed locations.

Height: To 50 feet tall.

Trunk: To 3 feet diameter.

Bark: Young tree: smooth, whitish gray; mature tree: dark brown to black, split by deep furrows and forming rectangular plates.

Branches: Fairly thick out to the tips, but limber.

Needles: Bundles of 5; dark green; 1 to 3-1/2 inches long with silvery white lines on all surfaces; in tufts at end of the branches.

Cones: Light brown; oblong; without prickles; rounded scales with thick tips, 3- to 8-inches long.

Seeds:

Habitat: Mountain forests, rocky ridges.

Elevation: 7,000 to 12,000 feet.

Distribution: California to western Canada, South Dakota, and New Mexico.

Comments: This species can most easily be seen along the Harris Saddle Trail near Harris Saddle and along the first mile or so of the North Loop Trail.

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Five needles in a bundle.

Flaky, gray bark.

Old cones.

Broad, open bracts.