Practical
Plants

Abies spectabilis

Himalayan Fir

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

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.

The leaves are astringent, carminative, expectorant, stomachic and tonic[6]. The leaf juice used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis etc[6][7][9]. An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used to treat colds, rheumatism and nasal congestion[9]. The leaf juice is antiperiodic[6][7].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

An essential oil is obtained from the plant, though the report does not give yields or uses[6]. The dried leaves, mixed with other ingredients, are used in making incense[9]. The wood is used for construction and thatching roofs[9]. It is also used for fuel[9].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Wood
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Incense

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to Nepal.
Habitat
Forests in Nepal between 2700 - 3900 metres[7]. Moist open areas[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
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[10]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[10]. 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[11][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[10] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[11].

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. Plants are very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[12]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[5]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[5]. This species is unsatisfactory in south-eastern Britain due to damage by late frosts, trees rarely live more than 40 years and have a poor thin crown[4]. Trees grow far better in the milder and moister western side of the country[2]. Young trees are very slow to establish because they are often damaged by late frosts, it is best to grow the young trees in high shade to get them through this time[1][4]. 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[5]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[5]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[5].

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  9. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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