Abies forrestii

Description

Abies forrestii is a species of conifer in the family Pinaceae. It is endemic to China. It was named after George Forrest (1873-1932) who discovered it in Yunnan. Its common names include Forrest's fir. This species is variable in morphology, and there are several varieties. Some of these are treated as separate species. In general, it grows up to about 20 meters tall. The needles are 1.5 to 4 centimeters long and the purplish, brown, or black cones are 7 to 12 centimeters long. Varieties include: - A. forrestii var. ferreana (syn. Abies chayuensis) - A. forrestii var. forrestii (syn. Abies chengii) - A. forrestii var. georgei – George's fir - A. forrestii var. smithii This species grows in the mountains of southwestern China, sometimes at high altitudes. At lower elevations it grows in mixed forests with species such as Picea likiangensis, Larix potaninii, Tsuga dumosa, and Betula albosinensis. It is sometimes a dominant member of the canopy in rhododendron woodlands. This tree is used for construction wood and pulp.