Hickel's fir

Description

Abies hickelii is a species of conifer in the family Pinaceae. It is endemic to Mexico, found only in Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz states. Abies hickelii is an evergreen tree with irregular crown, which can reach a height of 20 to 30 m. The gray bark is divided into square plates. The secondary branches grow in the opposite way, forming crosses. The leaves are twisted in the form of needles 1.5 to 3 cm long and 1 to 1.5 mm wide, with an emarginate or obtuse apex, rarely acuminate. The megastrobilus (cone) is 5-10 cm tall and, as is common in species of the genus, grows more or less erect on twigs. The distribution of Abies hickelii is restricted to the medium and high mountains of the Mexican states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz, where it grows preferably in ravines and slopes facing north at altitudes between 2,700 and 3,600 meters above sea level. The species forms pure forests or in association with other conifers such as Pinus patula, P. ayacahuite and Abies religiosa, as well as broadleaf trees such as Alnus jorullensis, Arbutus xalapensis, Salix paradoxa and Quercus spp.