King Clone

34°25′14″N 116°42′17″W / 34.420445°N 116.704764°W / 34.420445; -116.704764

King Clone, the 11,700-year-old creosote bush ring in the Mojave Desert

King Clone is thought to be the oldest creosote bush ring in the Mojave Desert. The ring is estimated to be 11,700 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. This single clonal colony plant of Larrea tridentata reaches up to 67 feet (20 metres) in diameter, with an average diameter of 45 feet (14 m).[1][2][3]

  1. ^ Creosote Bush: Long-Lived Clones in the Mojave Desert, Frank C. Vasek, American Journal of Botany, Vol. 67, No. 2 (February 1980), pp. 246-255
  2. ^ Weiser, Matt (April 15, 2002). "The oldest living thing is a quiet survivor". High Country News. Archived from the original on May 25, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  3. ^ Rodrigue, Frank. "Creosote Rings Preserve". Lucerne Valley. Retrieved March 12, 2013.