Request for information regarding Torrey Pine, Pinus torreyana.


The San Diego Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research is pursuing a research study assessing the conservation value of existing ex situ collections of the endangered Torrey pine, Pinus torreyana, and is seeking to connect with botanic gardens with Torrey pine collections.

This iconic pine occurs naturally in only two populations in California, in the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Extension in San Diego County and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast of Santa Barbara. While Torrey pines experienced historic bottlenecks during past climate fluctuations, more recent population declines occurred in the late 1800’s with land development in San Diego County. Previous genetic studies of the chloroplast and a small set of nuclear markers have showed no genetic variation within populations and little differentiation between the two populations of Torrey pines. However, ex situ collections, particularly long-standing collections, may harbor diversity no longer observed in the natural populations.

We are seeking to connect with botanic gardens that maintain ex situ collections of Torrey pines and that would be interested in sharing collection information (such as germplasm type, number of individuals, and date of collection). If interested in the project, please contact the Plant Conservation Postdoctoral Associate at San Diego Zoo, Stephanie Steele, at ssteele@sandiegozoo.org for further details.