(Picea orientalis (L.) Peterm.)
Habitus
- tree growing to a height of up to 40 m
- crown is narrowly conical , densely branched
Leaves (assimilation organs)
- needles are short, 4 - 8 (10) x 1 mm in size
- square in cross-section, blunt-ended, firm, dark green, shiny, densely grouped around the entire twig
- evenly covering the upper side of the twigs
Flowers
- wood monoecious, flowers in cones
Fruits – seeds
- the fruit is a cone, 5 - 15 x 2 - 2.5 cm large, spindle-cylindrical, resinous
- seed scales are leathery, round
Extension
- originally widespread in the western part of the Caucasus on both sides of the main ridge at altitudes from 800 to 2,100 m above the sea level.
- it occurs also in Asia Minor in the Taurus and Antitaurus mountains
- it is a Caucasus-Asia Minor endemic
- it was introduced to Europe in 1837
Ecology
- semi-shade to shade woody plant of the oceanic climate
Significance
- a decorative woody plant especially in habit
- there are well known forms with overhanging branches, low conical to spherical and also forms with different colored needles
