Siberian fir (Abies sibirica, Fl. Altaic. 4: 202 (1833))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: Ledeb.

Bibliography: Fl. Altaic. 4: 202 (1833)

Year: 1833

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Abies

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Europe to Russian Far East and Xinjiang

Description

The Siberian fir, scientifically known as Abies sibirica, is a majestic conifer that belongs to the Pinaceae family. This evergreen tree boasts a rich history and widespread presence, stretching across Eastern Europe, extending through the vast expanses of the Russian Far East, and reaching as far as the Xinjiang region.

First described in 1833 in Flora Altaica by the renowned botanist Carl Friedrich von Ledebour, the Siberian fir has since been a subject of interest for its ecological and aesthetic value. Its ability to thrive in cold, harsh climates and adapt to diverse environmental conditions makes it a resilient and vital component of boreal forests.

The Siberian fir typically features soft, flat needles that are dark green on the surface with two distinctive blue-white stripes on the underside. These needles emit a pleasant, balsamic fragrance when crushed, adding to the tree’s allure.

The tree’s conical shape and silvery bark give it a striking appearance in its natural habitat. As a keystone species, it plays a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance, providing habitat and food for a myriad of wildlife. Additionally, the Siberian fir is highly valued for its timber, which is used in construction and paper manufacturing, alongside its essential oils, which are extracted for medicinal purposes.

Overall, Abies sibirica stands as a symbol of endurance and natural beauty, deeply rooted in the landscapes where it has flourished for centuries. Its historical significance and contribution to both ecosystem health and human industry underscore its importance in the botanical world.

Common Names

Ita: abete siberiano
Eng: siberian fir
Nld: siberische zilverspar
Nor: sibiredelgran
Lav: sibirijas baltegle
Deu: sibirische tanne
Dan: sibirisk ædelgran
Hun: szibériai jegenyefenyo
Tuk: ak-cherschal
Mon: chadsura
Swe: pichtagran, sibirisk ädelgran
Fra: sapin de sibérie
Est: siberi nulg
Rus: пихта сибирская (pikhta sibirskaya), пихта сибирская
Zho: 西伯利亚冷杉 (xi bo li ya leng shan), 西伯利亚冷杉 (xian bei leng shan), xian bei leng shan, 西伯利亚冷杉
En: Siberian fir, Siberian silver fir
Ar: شوح سيبيري
Az: Sibir ağ şamı
Be: Піхта сібірская
Bg: Сибирска ела
Ca: Avet siberià
Zh: Xian bei leng shan, 新疆冷杉, 西伯利亚冷杉, 西伯利亚冷杉 (xi bo li ya leng shan), 西伯利亚冷杉 (xian bei leng shan)
Cs: Jedle sibiřská
Da: Sibirisk ædelgran
Nl: Siberische zilverspar
Et: Siberi nulg
Fi: Siperianpihta
Fr: Sapin de Sibérie
De: Sibirische Tanne, Webbs Tanne
He: אשוח סיבירי
Hu: Szibériai jegenyefenyő, Szibériai jegenyefenyo
Is: Síberíuþinur
It: Abete siberiano
Ky: Ак карагай
Kv: Сибирись ньыв
Lv: Sibīrijas baltegle, Sibirijas baltegle
Lt: Sibirinis kėnis
Mn: Сибирийн нарс, Chadsura
No: Sibiredelgran
Fa: نراد سیبری
Pl: Jodła syberyjska
Ru: Pichta, Пихта сибирская, Пихта сибирская (pikhta sibirskaya)
Sv: Pichtagran, Sibirisk ädelgran
Zh-hant: 西伯利亞冷杉
Tk: Ak-cherschal
Uk: Ялиця сибірська
Uz: Oq qaragʻay

Synonyms

• Pinus sibirica ((Ledeb.) Turcz.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Chita (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Tuva (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2014 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2020 by Rane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Bergman Esa-Pekka (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2020 by Rane (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 28, 2014 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2014 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by arlas (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:261635-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2685654)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Abies sibirica Ledeb.)

Specifications

Growth