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Plants

Abies lasiocarpa

Subalpine Fir

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Abies genus in the family Pinaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Abies
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
25 m
Spread
4 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The shoot tips are used as a tea substitute[5][6]. The cones can be ground into a fine powder, then mixed with fat and used as a confection[12]. It is said to be a delicacy and an aid to the digestion[12]. The resin from the trunk is used as a chewing gum[12]. It is said to treat bad breath[12]. Inner bark[12]. No more information is given, but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used with cereal flours when making bread etc[K]. Seeds[12]. No more information is given, but the seeds are very small and fiddly to use. Seeds of this genus are generally oily with a resinous flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked[K].

Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Inner bark
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Seedpod

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antiseptic[13][15]. The gummy exudate that appears on the bark was soaked in water until soft and then applied to wounds[9]. An infusion of the resin has been used as an emetic to cleanse the insides[12]. The resin has also been chewed to treat bad breath[12]. A decoction of the bark is used as a tonic and in the treatment of colds and flu[12]. A poultice of the leaves has been used to treat chest colds and fevers[12]. An infusion has been taken to treat the coughing up of blood, which can be the first sign of TB, and as a laxative[12].

Product or use
Antihalitosis
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Foot care
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
TB
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fragrant young leaves and twigs are used to repel moths or are burnt as an incense[13][15][4][12]. They were also ground into a powder and used to make a baby powder and perfumes[10][12]. A gum is obtained from the bark. It is antiseptic[13][15] and was chewed by the N. American Indians in order to clean the teeth[10]. It was also used to plug holes in canoes[10]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a hair tonic[12]. The leaves can also be placed in the shoes as a foot deodorant[12]. Wood - light, soft, not strong. It is little used except as a fuel and for pulp[13][15][19]. The native North American Indians used it for making chairs and insect-proof storage boxes[12]. It was also used as a fuel and was said to burn for a long time[12].

Product or use
Baby care
Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Alaska to Arizona and New Mexico.
Habitat
Often found in poor and rocky soils[11], it is rarely seen below 600 metres. It grows in forests right up to the timber line where it is no more than a shrub on exposed slopes at high altitudes[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[16]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[16]. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[17][3]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[16] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[17].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[18]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[8]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[8]. Occasionally planted for timber in N. Europe[14] but this species does not thrive in Britain[2]. It is a very cold-hardy tree but the milder winters of this country make it susceptible to damage by aphis and late frosts[1][2][18]. The sub-species A. lasiocarpa arizonica. (Merriam.)Lemmon. is growing somewhat better here[7]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[8]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[8]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[8]. The crushed foliage has a balsam aroma[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  4. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  7. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  10. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩

  12. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16↩17

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  18. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2

  19. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩

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