Abies procera

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Abies procera

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Abies
Species:
A. procera
Binomial name
Abies procera
Natural range
Synonyms[2]
  • Abies nobilis (Douglas ex D.Don) Lindl. nom. illeg.
  • Picea nobilis (Douglas ex D.Don) Loudon
  • Pseudotsuga nobilis (Douglas ex D.Don) W.R.McNab

Abies procera, the noble fir, also called red fir and Christmas tree,

Pacific Coast of the United States
. It occurs at altitudes of 300–1,500 meters (980–4,920 ft).

Description

A. procera is a large

leaves are needle-like, 1–3.5 cm (1⁄2–1+1⁄2 in) long, glaucous blue-green above and below with strong stomal bands, and a blunt to notched tip. They are arranged spirally on the shoot, but twisted slightly S-shaped to be upcurved above the shoot. The cones are erect, 11–22 cm (4+1⁄4–8+3⁄4 in) long and 6 cm (2+1⁄4 in) thick, with the purple scales almost completely hidden by the long exserted yellow-green bract scales;[5] they ripen brown and disintegrate to release the winged seeds in fall. Viable seeds are only produced every few years.[5]

The species can grow for up to 200 years.[5]

Taxonomy

David Douglas discovered the species in the Cascade Range in the early 19th century, calling it the "noble fir".[5]

The specific epithet procera means "tall".[6] It is the world's tallest true fir.[5]

Distribution

The species is native to the Cascade Range and Pacific Coast Ranges of western Washington and Oregon, as well as the extreme northwest of California. It is a high-altitude tree, typically occurring at altitudes of 300–1,500 m (980–4,920 ft), often above 600 m (2,000 ft),[5] and only rarely reaching the tree line.

Ecology

The species is very closely related to

shade-intolerant, leaving its lower trunk branchless.[5]

Noble fir occurs with

mountain hemlock at higher elevations.[5] It occurs in cool, humid areas similar to those occupied by Pacific silver fir.[5] While it benefits from occasional disturbances (e.g. the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens), it is very susceptible to fire but is usually protected by its moist environment.[5] It is relatively resistant to damage from wind, insects or diseases.[5] Although the roots grow slowly, it can survive in very rocky soil as long as it is moist.[5]

Uses

The Paiute used the foliage to treat coughs and colds.[5]

The superior light and strong

Mosquito bombers during World War II.[5]

David Douglas sent noble fir seeds to Britain in 1830, introducing it to horticulturalists.[5] It is a popular and favored Christmas tree.[5] The prostrate grey cultivar A. procera (Glauca Group) 'Glauca Prostrata' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7][8]

  • Cone
    Cone
  • Cones
    Cones
  • Foliage
    Foliage

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42296A2970458.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of all Plant Species".
  3. ^ "Abies procera". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Gymnosperm Database - Abies procera". Retrieved 2013-09-06.
  5. ^
    OCLC 1141235469
    .
  6. ISBN 978-1845337315
    .
  7. ^ "Abies procera (Glauca Group) 'Glauca Prostrata'". RHS. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  8. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 1. Retrieved 14 August 2019.

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abies procera (noble fir).
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