Picea laxa

Picea laxa, commonly known as the Klahowya or Sitka spruce, is a majestic evergreen native to the Pacific Northwest. Renowned for its aromatic needles and resinous bark, this medicinal plant has historically been utilized in traditional practices to soothe respiratory ailments and support overall wellness through its potent phytochemical properties.

  • Scientific name: Picea laxa
  • Family: Pinaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Pinidae, it is categorized under the order Pinales and the family Pinaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic classification is defined by the genus Picea.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Pinidae WCVP
Order Pinales WCVP
Family Pinaceae WCVP
Genus Picea WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Picea laxa, is referred to by the common name 白云杉 in Chinese.
Language Common Name Source
zh 白云杉 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found inhabiting the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the island territories of Iceland and the Førøya Islands. The species also makes its way to the coastal areas of Great Britain. Together, these locations define the primary range of this medicinal species.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Føroyar WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Iceland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Poland WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Picea laxa or the Old Man of the Forest, is a coniferous species where the bark serves as a significant component of its physical structure. The bark of this tree is typically thin and scaly, often appearing in small, reddish-brown flakes that can peel away from the trunk. In medicinal and traditional contexts, various parts of such conifers are studied, but the bark specifically functions as a protective layer for the tree's vascular system, housing the essential compounds that characterize the species.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Picea laxa has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticarcinogenic, Antiproliferative.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Anticarcinogenic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiproliferative 1 ★☆☆☆☆