Abies bracteata 
Native of South California. 
Nat. Order: ConIFERA. Tribe: ABIETINEA. 
Abies bracteata, Nuttall, ‘“‘ Sylva N. Amer.” iii. 137, t. 118 
(1849); Hooker, W., Bot. Mag. t. 4740 (1853). 
Veitch, Manual, ed. ii., p. 494 (1900). 
Abies venusta, Sargent, “Silva N. Amer.” xii. 129, tt. 615, 616 (1898). 
Picea bracteata, Loudon, ‘“ Arb. et Frut. Brit.” iv. 2348 (1838). 
This is undoubtedly one of the finest and also the rarest 
of the silver firs. It was first discovered by Douglas on the 
Santa Lucia Mountains in Southern California, where it 
grows at elevations of about three thousand feet above the sea- 
level, and even there is very far from common; it is, in fact, 
gradually disappearing from its native habitat owing to the de- 
structive forest fires which occur occasionally in the dry season. 
When planted as it is here, on a sunny site with a full southern 
exposure, it makes a growth of about twenty inches annually. 
The leaves have an erect habit, and are of a dark rich green 
colour. It is byno means particular as to soil, and soon forms 
a fine tree well clothed to the ground with fine healthy branches. 
It is said to be sometimes injured by late frosts, but I have never 
had it touched in the least, and it appears to be as hardy as 
almost anything in the garden. It is well worthy of a place 
even in the most select collections. 
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