Rocky mountain fir, Subalpine fir
Abies lasiocarpa

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 50 Abies species. They are mostly in north temperate regions.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain sides and is rarely seen below 600 m. It grows up to 2000 m altitude in Canada. It can tolerate shade. It suits moist but not waterlogged soil. It can tolerate cold and frost. It grows up to the tree line in the Rocky mountains. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Angola, Australia, Canada, North America, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The young shoots are used for tea by steeping them in boiling water. The cones are ground and used for sweets, The gum is chewed like chewing gum. The inner bark and cambium is eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, gum, inner bark, leaves - drink

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They germinate in about 6 weeks. Seedlings should be transplanted while still very small. Trees can be produced by layering. Trees can form natural layers on lower branches.

Trees can live to 200 years old. Seeds are abundant. Good seed years occur about every 3 years

Its other names

Local names

Alpine fir, Rocky mountain alpine fir

Synonyms

Abies amabilis Parl.; Abies bifolia A. Murray bis; Abies lasiocarpa Sarg.; Abies subalpina Engelm.; Picea bifolia A. Murray bis; Picea lasiocarpa Hook.; Pinus lasiocarpa Hook.; and others