ABIES (SILVER FIRS) 



1. Leaves, Arrangement of. — Although radially arranged on 

 upright stems, on the lateral side-siioots they are either : 



(i) Truly or nearly pectinate (Latin, pecten = a comb), 

 twisted at the base and lying back and flat like a comb. 



(2) Or with a V-shaped depression — ^that is to say, leaves 



pointing sufficiently upwards to leave a gap in the 

 shape of the alphabetical letter V. 



(3) Or with median leaves — that is to say, leaves growing 



in the middle, on the upper side of the twig, pointing 

 forwards, except in the case of A. Numidica, where 

 they point backwards. 



(4) Or in the two excepted cases of A. Pinsapo and Cephaloni- 



ca, the leaves of which are arranged radially, like those 

 on the Spruce, on the lateral as well as the upright 

 stems. 



2. Leaves, shape of. — Linear, flat, 2-sided in transverse 

 section (except A. Magnifica, which is quadrangular). 



3. Stomata, on one side only, except when expressly stated 

 otherwise in table {e.g. Nos. i, 2, 5, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26). 



4. Base of leaf circular. When pulled off or fallen away, a 

 circular scar is left. 



N.B. — This differentiates Silver Fir from Spruce, where, when 

 leaf is pulled off, it tears away the rind, and when fallen away 

 leaves evidences of the projections. 



5. Apex of leaf {vide illustration, p. 68). 



Branchlets 



1 . Cortex, or rind, is either : (a) corrugated and fissured ; 

 (6) wavy or undulating ; or {c) smooth. 



2. Are either wdth or without pubescence, or with pubescence 

 in grooves of corrugated stems. 



3. Branchlets are whorled, and the sheath and bud scales make 

 show at base of each season's shoot. 



Cones 



1. Shape. — Cylindrical more or less, except perhaps in case of 

 Bracteata, Firma, Religiosa, when they are more egg-shaped. , 



2. Position. — In Abies (Silver Firs) always erect. Bracts 

 (outer scales) obvious. In Piceae (Spruces) always pendulous. 

 Bracts (outer scales) hidden. 



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