16 KEY AND FLORA 



arises from its tenacity of life. It sends up new trees in a circle 

 around where a tree has been cut down. In bloom in winter. 



b. S. gigante'a Decaisne. MAMMOTH SEQUOIA, BIG TREE. 

 Upper and lower leaves alike, scale-shaped, with long-pointed tips : 

 cones about 2 in. long of 25-30 scales, requiring two seasons to 

 ripen. This is found in groves in moist, protected valleys in the 

 higher Sierras, from Placer County through Tulare County. 



VI. A'BIES, Fir 



Tall trees tapering from a rather broad base to a pointed 

 top, with horizontal branches and brittle wood that soon 

 decays. Leaves apparently in 2 ranks, generally erect, 

 twisted at base. Cones erect, near the top of the tree, the scales 

 and seeds falling away from the axes, which remain like 

 candles on a Christmas tree. The cones are therefore never 

 found under the trees, only the fallen scales. 



a. A. con'color Lindl. WHITE FIR. Large trees with old bark 

 rough, gray, and furrowed. Leaves pale green, obtuse. Cones 3-5 

 in. long, green or purple when ripe. This is the common fir 

 of middle elevations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It also 

 extends into Oregon. 



b. A. gran'dis Lindl. Tall and large trees with smooth, brownish 

 bark. Leaves dark green and glossy on the upper surface, with 2 

 white lines on the lower, obtuse or notched at apex. Cones 2-4 in. 

 long. This is probably the tallest fir in the world. It is found 

 near the coast from northern California to British Columbia and is 

 one of the most important sources of lumber. 



VII. PI'CEA, Spruce 



Tall trees, shaped as the firs, and with soft but strong 

 wood. Leaves sessile, spirally arranged, falling from the 

 branchlets as soon as dry and leaving the steins covered with 

 numerous tiny projections, sometimes appearing in 2 ranks. 

 Cones drooping, growing on the upper branches, falling to the 

 ground when ripe and always to be found under the bearing trees 

 with the scales spirally arranged on the axes. 



a. P. Sitchen'sis Carr. TIDELAND SPRUCE. Very tall and large 

 trees with thin, scaly, brownish red bark. Leaves slender, sessile, 

 with short points at the apex. Cones 1^-3 in. long, yellowish. 



