Bristlecone Fir vs Smooth Map Lichen

Abies bracteata compared with Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Key Differences

• Bristlecone Fir is Near Threatened while Smooth Map Lichen is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Bristlecone Fir	Smooth Map Lichen
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Coniferophyta (Conifers)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Pinopsida (Conifers)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Pinales (Pines & Allies)	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)
Family	Pinaceae (Pine Family)	Rhizocarpaceae
Genus	Abies	Rhizocarpon
Species	Abies bracteata	Rhizocarpon hochstetteri

Conservation Status

Bristlecone Fir

NT — Near Threatened

Smooth Map Lichen

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Bristlecone Fir	Smooth Map Lichen
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bristlecone Fir

Habitat

Typically found in temperate and boreal forests, often at higher elevations.

Smooth Map Lichen

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and United States. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Bristlecone Fir

The Bristlecone Fir (Abies bracteata) is a species in the genus Abies. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in temperate and boreal forests, often at higher elevations.