0.94] 



CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION 



179 



GENUS 94. PICE A. (THE SPRUCES.) 



Leaves evergreen, scattered (pointing in every direc- 

 tion), needle-shaped, keeled above and below, thus mak- 

 ing them somewhat 4-sided. Fertile catkins and cones 

 terminal ; cones maturing the first year, pendulous ; 

 scales thin, without prickles, persistent, the cone coming 

 off the tree whole. 



* Leaves very short, usually % to % in. long, obtuse 7, 8. 



* Leaves usually % in. or more long, acute. (A. ) 

 A. Cones over 3 in. long ; cultivated. (B.) 



B. Leaves dark green ; large tree, common 3. 



B. Leaves bright or pale green 4, 5, 6. 



A. Cones 2 in. or less long ; large native trees 1, 2. 



1. Plcea nigra, Link. (BLACK OB 

 DOUBLE SPRUCE.) Leaves about y z in. 

 long, erect, stiff, somewhat 4-sided, very 

 dark green or whitish-gray ; branchlets 

 pubescent. Cones persistent, 1 to \y z 

 in. long, ovate or ovate-oblong, changing 

 from dark purple to dull reddish-brown ; 

 scales very thin, roundish, with toothed 

 or uneven edges. A conical - shaped 

 tree, 40 to 80 ft. high ; wild in the North 

 and along the Alleghanies; often culti- 

 vated. Bark dark brown ; branches 

 horizontal; wood light reddish. 



<> 

 P.mgra. 



Var.rwZ>ra has larger, darker leaves, 

 and larger, brighter-colored cones. 



2. Plcea lba, Link. (WHITE OR 

 SINGLE SPRUCE.) Leaves y z to % in. 

 long, rather slender, needle-shaped, 

 sharp-pointed, incurved, pale- or 

 glaucous-green; branchlets smooth. 

 Cones deciduous, 2 in. long, oblong- 

 cylindrical, with entire, thin-edged 

 scales. Tree 25 to 100 ft. high, 

 of beautiful, compact, symmetrical 

 growth when young, and such light- 

 colored foliage as to make it a fine 



