Morinda spruce, West Himalayan spruce
Picea smithiana

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It can be 60 m tall. The trunk is 2 m across. The bark is pale brown and breaks into irregular plates. The plant has a weeping habit with the branches hanging downwards. The leaves are spreading. The leaves are 3.3-5.5 cm long by 1.3-1.8 mm wide and dark green. The cones are green and 10-18 cm long by 4.5-5 cm wide. They are pointed at both ends. As they mature they turn purple. The seeds are dark brown and about 5 mm wide.

There are between 30 and 40 species of Picea.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy, once established. They grow in alpine soils between 2300-3600 m altitude in China. It suits hardiness zones 6-8. Arboretum Tasmania. Kyneton Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Tasmania

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Flowers, gum, inner bark, seeds, seedspod, tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Chang ye yun shan, Rai, Rau, Re, Riar, Kachal, Kachlu, Salla, Tos, Roi, Rhai, Ragha, Kathela, Kandre, Morinda

Synonyms

Abies smithiana Lindl.; Pinus smithiana Wallich; Picea khutrow (Royle ex Turra)VCarriere; Picea morinda Link; Pinus khutrow Royle ex Turra;