SILVER FIR 199 



Abies pectinata, D.C. Silver Fir (Figs. 55 and 56). 

 Tall tree, differing from the Spruce in its flattened and 

 apparently distichous leaves ; the erect cones with de- 

 ciduous and exserted carpellary scales ; and the more 

 horizontal branches with spray displayed in one plane, 

 and in having an inseparable seed-wing. Cones about 

 80 170 mm., pale green when young; carpellary scales 

 irregularly dentate and with a single point : cones 

 yellowish-green to red, about 20 mm. long. 



Male flowers crowded in the leaf-axils of shoots of the 

 preceding year, especially towards the tip of the tree; 

 elongated, 20 27 mm. long, with numerous imbricated, 

 pale green, basal bracts, the upper of which are laciniate. 

 Stamens greenish-yellow, with short pollen-sacs. 



Female flowers borne on the upper side of the apex of 

 last year's shoots of the topmost branches in August ; 

 erect, cylindroid, about 27 30 mm. long, with numerous 

 pale green fimbriated basal scales. Scales pale green, 

 obovate, toothed, the tip of which is prolonged and 

 spreading beyond the much shorter rounded-ovate ovular 

 scales. Mature cone cylindroid, erect, 8 16 cm. long, 

 somewhat tapering at either end, the scales falling, and 

 leaving the bare axis (Fig. 56). 



[A number of other Silver Firs are in cultivation, of 

 which Abies bracteata with enormously long pointed barren 

 scales; Abies concolor with barren scales not exserted; 

 Abies Pinsapo with thick and almost fleshy leaves ; Abies 

 nobilis, Abies Nordmanniania, &c., may be mentioned. 

 They are striking objects when the glaucous silvery foliage, 

 to which they owe their popular name, is at its best.] 



