blue spruce

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Colorado blue spruce
• Colorado spruce
• blue spruce
• silver spruce
• Colorado Blue-Spruce

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Picea pungens glauca-pendens
• Picea parryana
• Picea menziesii var. parryana
• Abies menziesii var. parryana
• Abies commutata var. glauca
• Picea pungens var. viridis
• Picea pungens f. glauca-pendula
• Picea pungens f. viridis
• Picea commutata
• Picea pungens var. glauca
• Picea pungens f. glauca
• Pinus armata
• Picea pungens f. coerulea
• Picea pungens f. perpendicularis
• Picea parryana argentea
• Picea pungens f. compacta
• Picea pungens f. argentea
• Picea pungens var. compacta
• Picea pungens subvar. pendula
• Abies parlatorei
• Picea parryana glauca-pendens
• Picea parryana glauca-pendula
• Picea pungens var. kosteriana
• Picea pungens f. kosteriana
• Picea pungens var. pendula
• Picea pungens f. pendens
• Picea pungens var. hunnewelliana
• Picea pungens f. hunnewelliana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Pinidae and order Pinales, falling into the family Pinaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Picea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of Northern and Middle Europe. In the northernmost reaches, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Iceland. Its presence extends through the Scandinavian Peninsula, specifically within the territories of Norway and Sweden. Moving toward the British Isles, the species is also documented in Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range reaches into Middle Europe, where it is located in Austria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Picea pungens is defined by its preference for specific high-altitude environments, typically occupying an elevational range between 2000 m AMSL and a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within these mountainous regions, the species establishes itself in distinct moisture-rich habitats, specifically thriving in areas such as rivers and swamps.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Habitat :

rivers, swamps

Life history

The life history of Picea pungens is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that enables the species to thrive in diverse environmental conditions. This phanerophyte life form ensures that the plant can withstand various climatic stresses while maintaining its vertical growth habit over its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Picea pungens is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting growth form. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. As a substantial tree, it reaches an average height of approximately 32.5 m, though it is capable of attaining a maximum height of up to 50 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

32.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Picea pungens is characterized by a metabolic framework typical of coniferous gymnosperms, utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. In this process, the plant captures atmospheric carbon dioxide through its stomata, where it is initially fixed by the enzyme RuBisCO into a three-carbon compound within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic route is essential for the synthesis of carbohydrates required for growth and structural maintenance in its needle-like foliage. Furthermore, the species is strictly non-carnivorous, relying entirely on its root system and soil nutrient uptake for the acquisition of essential minerals and water, rather than capturing and digesting prey to supplement its nutritional requirements.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Picea pungens is characterized by a reliance on sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period is highly concentrated, with both the flowering start and end occurring in May. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on the wind for the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the species produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.00429755566666667 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.00423 g to a maximum of 0.005 g.

Flowering time :

May

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.005 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00429755566666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00423 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Picea pungens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Picea pungens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include LIMONENE.

LIMONENE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Picea pungens has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Seed and Cone Essential Oils, oil from Picea pungens cones, oils.

Seed and cone essential oils

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Oil from picea pungens cones

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Oils

1. Chemistry & biodiversity