PINACEAE 
Black Spruce 
Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP. [Picea nigra Link] 
HABIT.—A small tree 20-30 feet high, with a trunk diameter 
of 6-10 inches; forming a narrow-based, conical, more or less 
irregular crown of short, slender, horizontal branches; often 
small and stunted. 
LEAVES.—Spirally arranged, spreading in all directions; 
awl-shaped, 4-sided, blunt at the apex, more or less incurved; 
stiff; dark blue-green and glaucous; 1%-3% inch long. Persistent. 
for several years. 
FLOWERS.—April-May; monoecious; the staminate sub- 
globose, about % inch long, composed of many spirally arranged, 
dark red anthers; the pistillate oblong-cylindrical, composed of 
broad, purple scales (subtended by rounded, toothed, purple 
bracts) spirally arranged upon a central axis, about % inch long. 
FRUIT.—Autumn of first season, but persistent on the 
branch for many years; pendent, ovoid, short-stalked cones, 
about 1 inch long; seeds about 14 inch long, with pale brown 
wings ¥% inch long. 
WINTER-BUDS.—Ovoid, acute, light red-brown, puberul- 
ous, % inch long. 
BARK.—Twigs at first green and rusty-pubescent, becoming 
dull red-brown and rusty-pubescent; thin, gray-brown on the 
trunk, separating into thin, appressed scales. 
WOOD—Light, soft, weak, pale yellow-white, with thin, 
pure white sapwood. 
DISTRIBUTION.—Occurs sparingly in southern Michigan; 
more abundant in the northern portions. 
HABITAT.—Cold, sphagnous bogs and swamps; shores of 
lakes. 
NOTES.—Short-lived. Undesirable for ornamental planting. 
Growing to its largest size in the far north 
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