Nature
King Clone is an ancient creosote bush ring in California’s central Mojave Desert near Lucerne Valley and Landers, formed by a single clonal colony of Larrea tridentata rather than separate shrubs. Thought to be the oldest creosote bush ring in the Mojave, it is estimated at about 11,700 years old, placing it among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Frank Vasek of the University of California, Riverside, identified and dated it, with supporting work by Leonel da Silveira Lobo O'Reilly Sternberg. Their studies found similar ages through growth-ring counts, annual expansion measurements, and radiocarbon dating. Protected within the Creosote Rings Preserve, it is a striking example of extreme longevity in a dry desert landscape.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
California · United States