Torrey Pine is one of the rarest pine species in North America, restricted to a small area of coastal San Diego County, California, and to Santa Rosa Island off the California coast. The tree grows as a gnarled, wind sculpted form on coastal bluffs where it is exposed to salt spray and fog, typically reaching 8 to 15 meters, with long, thick needles borne in bundles of five. Its extremely limited natural range, confined to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and the offshore island population, makes it one of the most geographically restricted pine species anywhere in the world. The two populations are recognized as distinct subspecies, differing slightly in needle length and cone size.
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