Abies pinsapo
Species of tree
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Description
Abies pinsapo is an evergreen conifer growing to m 20–30 m (66–98 ft) tall, with a conic crown, often becoming irregular with age. The leaves are 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) long, arranged radially all round the shoots, and are strongly glaucous pale blue-green, with broad bands of whitish wax on both sides. The cones are cylindrical, measuring 9–18 cm (3.5–7.1 in) long. They are green to pinkish-purple before maturity, and have a smooth surface, with short bract scales that do not protrude. When mature, they disintegrate to release the winged seeds.
There are two subspecies:
- Abies pinsapo subsp. pinsapo Boiss. – southern Spain.
- Abies pinsapo subsp. marocana (Trab.) Emb. & Maire – northern Morocco.
The Moroccan subspecies, Moroccan fir, differs in the leaves being less strongly glaucous and the cones slightly longer, 11–20 cm (4.3–7.9 in) long. It is sometimes treated as a separate species, Abies marocana.
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Conservation
Despite the best conservation and reforestation efforts that have greatly increased the abundance of Spanish fir, it still has several threats such as fires, urban projects, erosion, excessive visitors and tourists, etc.
Cultivation
The cultivars A. pinsapo 'Aurea' (to 8m, with golden new growth) and A. pinsapo 'Glauca' (to 12m plus, with grey-green leaves) have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.