Using genetics to distinguish limber from whitebark pine

The northern Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the central Sierra Nevada are regions of North America where limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) and whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) live in sympatry or close proximity. For those needing to distinguish between these two pine species in these areas of western North America, seed cones are the best visual identification aid. Limber pine has seed cones that measure 7-15 cm long and have persistent woody scales whereas whitebark pine has seed cones that measure 4-8 cm long and have tightly overlapping woody scales.