Picea abies

Trees to 30m; trunk to 2m diam.; crown conic. Bark gray-brown, scaly. Branches short and stout, the upper ascending, the lower drooping; twigs stout, reddish-brown, usually glabrous. Buds reddish-brown, 5–7mm, apex acute. Leaves 1–2.5cm, 4-angled in cross-section, rigid, light to dark green, bearing stomates on all surfaces, apex blunt-tipped. Seed-cones (10–) 12–16cm; scales diamond-shaped, widest near middle, 18–30 × 15–20mm, thin and flexuous, margin at apex erose to toothed, apex extending 6–10mm beyond seed-wing impression. 2n =24.

Habitat: Woods and persisting after cultivation.

Minn., probably elsewhere, Europe.

Discussion

Norway spruce, native to Europe, has become locally naturalized, at least in north central United States (and adjacent Canada). The species is the most widely cultivated spruce in North America; many cultivars exist, including dwarf shrubs.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa