White fir (Abies concolor, Verh. Naturhist. Vereines Preuss. Rheinl. Westphalens 18: 261 (1861))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: (Gordon & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr.

Bibliography: Verh. Naturhist. Vereines Preuss. Rheinl. Westphalens 18: 261 (1861)

Year: 1861

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Abies

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. U.S.A. to Mexico (N. Baja California, NE. Sonora, N. Chihuahua)

Description

White fir, scientifically known as Abies concolor, is a magnificent conifer that graces the landscapes from the western United States down to northern regions of Mexico, including Northern Baja California, northeastern Sonora, and northern Chihuahua. Known for its stunning beauty and resilience, this tree belongs to the Pinaceae family, a notable group of coniferous trees.

The White fir displays a remarkable silhouette with its tall, straight trunk and symmetrical crown. Mature trees can reach impressive heights, making them a dominant presence in mixed coniferous forests. The foliage comprises soft, silvery-blue needles, which distinguish the White fir from other conifers, providing a unique visual appeal. These needles emit a pleasant, citrus-like fragrance when crushed, adding to the sensory experience of encountering this tree.

This species is highly adaptable, thriving in a variety of altitudes and soil types, which contributes to its widespread distribution. However, the White fir is particularly prevalent in mountainous regions where it benefits from cooler temperatures and well-drained soils. It plays a crucial ecological role in its native habitats, offering shelter and food to various wildlife species.

White fir wood is valuable for its straight grain and workability, utilized in construction, furniture, and pulp production. Despite its commercial uses, the tree’s conservation status warrants attention, as its habitat faces threats from logging and climate change.

Recognized by botanists Gordon & Glend. and later classified by Lindl. ex Hildebr., the White fir has been a subject of scientific interest since its first detailed description in the early 19th century. Documented in the proceedings of the Natural History Society for the Prussian Rhineland and Westphalia in 1861, this venerable tree continues to capture the interest of researchers and nature enthusiasts alike for its ecological significance and exceptional characteristics.

Common Names

Ita: abete del colorado, abete concolore
Eng: balsam fir, california white fir, colorado fir, colorado white fir, concolor fir, low’s fir, silver fir, white balsam, white fir, colorado white-fir
Nld: colorado zilverspar, coloradozilverspar
Deu: grautanne, kolorado-tanne, silbertanne
Hun: kolorádoi jegenyefenyo
Dan: langnålet ædelgran
Lav: vienkräsas baltegle
Spa: abeto de colorado, oyamel de california, pinabete, pino real blanco
Slk: jedla srienistá
Ces: jedle ojínená
Fra: sapin concolore, sapin du colorado
Swe: coloradogran, kalifornisk ädelgran, koloradogran
En: White fir, Balsam fir, California White Fir, Colorado Fir, Low’s Fir, Rocky Mountain white fir, White silver fir, Colorado white fir, Concolor fir, Silver fir, White balsam, Colorado White-fir
Ar: شوح متساوي الألوان
Az: Birrəng ağ şam
Eu: Konkolor izei
Be: Піхта аднакаляровая
Bg: Едноцветна ела
Ca: Avet de Colorado
Zh: 白冷杉
Cs: Jedle ojíněná, Jedle ojínená
Da: Langnålet Ædelgran
Nl: Colorado zilverspar, Coloradozilverspar
Et: Hall nulg
Fi: Harmaapihta
Fr: Sapin du Colorado, Sapin concolore
De: Kolorado-Tanne, Grautanne, Silbertanne
He: אשוח לבן
Hu: Kolorádói jegenyefenyő, Kolorádoi jegenyefenyo
Is: Hvítþinur
It: Abete del Colorado, Abete concolore
Lv: Vienkrāsas baltegle, Vienkräsas baltegle
Lt: Pilkasis kėnis
Mk: Долгоигличеста ела
No: Coloradoedelgran
Fa: نراد سفید
Pl: Jodła kalifornijska
Ru: Пихта одноцветная
Sr: Дугоигличава јела
Sk: Jedľa srienistá, Jedla srienistá
Es: Abeto, Pino, Pino real blanco, Abeto de Colorado, Oyamel de California, Pinabete
Sv: Coloradogran, Kalifornisk ädelgran, Koloradogran
Zh-tw: 白冷杉
Tr: Gümüş göknarı
Uk: Ялиця одноколірна

Synonyms

• Abies concolor var. baja-californica (Silba)
• Abies concolor var. martinezii (Silba)
• Abies concolor subsp. martinezii ((Silba) Silba)
• Abies concolor subsp. viridula ((Debreczy & I.Rácz) Silba)
• Picea parsonsiana (E.Manning)
• Abies concolor subsp. baja-californica ((Silba) Silba)
• Picea concolor var. violacea (A.Murray bis)
• Abies concolor f. conica (Slavin)
• Abies concolor globosa (Niemetz)
• Abies concolor f. globosa ((Niemetz) Rehder)
• Abies lasiocarpa var. pendula (Carrière)
• Abies concolor wattezii (Beissn.)
• Abies concolor f. wattezii ((Beissn.) Rehder)
• Pinus concolor f. violacea ((A.Murray bis) Voss)
• Abies concolor f. brevifolia ((Beissn.) Rehder)
• Abies concolor brevifolia (Beissn.)
• Abies concolor aurea (Beissn.)
• Abies concolor f. aurea ((Beissn.) Rehder)
• Abies concolor f. atroviolacea (Cinovskis)
• Abies concolor f. pendula ((Simon-Louis ex Beissn.) Rehder)
• Abies concolor pendula (Simon-Louis ex Beissn.)
• Abies concolor var. pendula ((Simon-Louis ex Beissn.) Zederb.)
• Abies lowiana var. pendula ((Carrière) Fitschen)
• Abies concolor var. violacea ((A.Murray bis) Beissn.)
• Abies grandis var. concolor ((Gordon & Glend.) A.Murray bis)
• Abies concolor subsp. lowiana ((Gordon) A.E.Murray)
• Abies grandis var. lowiana ((Gordon) Hoopes)
• Picea lowiana (Gordon)
• Abies concolor f. violacea ((A.Murray bis) Beissn.)
• Abies lowiana var. viridula (Debreczy & I.Rácz)
• Abies lowiana ((Gordon) A.Murray bis)
• Abies concolor var. pendens (Sudw.)
• Abies concolor var. lowiana ((Gordon) Lemmon)
• Picea lowii (Gordon)
• Pinus concolor ((Gordon & Glend.) Engelm. ex Parl.)
• Picea concolor (Gordon & Glend.)
• Pinus lowiana ((Gordon) W.R.McNab)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Utah (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Mar 15, 2019 by André Autard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2019 by Cristian Stoleriu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2019 by Cristian Stoleriu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2020 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − لجنة الدولة للحفاظ على التربة بولاية نورث داكوتا . إدارة الزراعة الأمريكية، دائرة الحفاظ على الموارد الطبيعية، مكتب الدولة بولاية داكوتا الشمالية.الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، ولاية داكوتا الشمالية (public)

Bark

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by kal l (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2019 by Chiroiu Patrick (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2019 by alex chanx (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2020 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Eva Set (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2020 by Barbara Niedziela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2021 by greg solar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2020 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 5, 2019 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2022 by ## Angimorell ## (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2685580)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1031026-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Abies concolor (Gordon) Lindl. ex Hildebr.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.8

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 5