Abies numidica

Abies numidica, the Algerian fir, is a species of fir found only in Algeria, where it is endemic on Djebel Babor, the second-highest mountain (2,004 meters) in the Algerian Tell Atlas.[1][2][3]

Algerian fir

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Abies
Species:
A. numidica
Binomial name
Abies numidica
de Lannoy ex Carrière
Natural range

Description

Abies numidica is a medium-sized to large evergreen tree growing to 20–35 meters tall, with a trunk up to 1 meter diameter. The leaves are needle-like, moderately flattened, 1.5–2.5 centimeters long and 2–3 millimeters wide by 1 millimeters thick, glossy dark green with a patch of greenish-white stomata near the tip above, and with two greenish-white bands of stomata below. The tip of the leaf is variable, usually pointed, but sometimes slightly notched at the tip, particularly on slow-growing shoots on older trees. The cones are glaucous green with a pink or violet tinge, maturing brown, 10–20 centimeters long and 4 centimeters broad, with about 150–200 scales, each scale with a short bract (not visible on the closed cone) and two winged seeds; they disintegrate when mature to release the seeds.[2]

Distribution

Abies numidica grows in a high-altitude Mediterranean climate at 1,800–2,004 meters (and rarely down to 1,220 meters) with an annual precipitation of 1,500–2,000 milliliters, the great majority of which falls as winter snow; the summers are warm and very dry. It is closely related to Abies pinsapo (Spanish fir), which occurs further west in the Rif mountains of Morocco and in southern Spain.[2]

Cultivation and uses

Algerian fir, Abies numidica, is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree in parks and larger gardens. It is valued among firs for its drought tolerance.

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References
  1. Yahi, N.; Knees, S. & Gardner, M. (2011). "Abies numidica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T30320A9534972. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T30320A9534972.en.
  2. Farjon, A. (1990). Pinaceae. Drawings and Descriptions of the Genera. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3-87429-298-3.
  3. Alizoti, P.G.; Fady, B.; Prada, M.A. & Vendramin, G.G. (2009). "Mediterranean firs- Abies Spp" (PDF). EUFORGEN Technical guidelines for genetic conservation and use. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
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