Location: Fishlake National Forest, Utah, United States

Scientific Name: Populus tremuloides

Age: Approximately 80,000 years old

Special Characteristics:

-Pando is a clonal colony of quaking aspens, meaning it consists of genetically identical trees that have grown from a single root system.

-The root system of Pando covers over 106 acres, making it one of the largest living organisms by mass on Earth.

-Despite its age, Pando continuously renews itself as individual tree trunks die and are replaced by new growth from the root system.

-The colony is estimated to have started from a single seedling that germinated around 80,000 years ago.

-Pando's survival and longevity are attributed to its clonal nature, which allows it to withstand environmental challenges, disease and natural disasters.

Significance: Pando is a testament to the resilience of nature and an important ecological component within its ecosystem, providing habitat and resources to various wildlife species. Scientists study the colony to gain insight into the adaptability and longevity of clonal organisms.