Also known as White Balsam or Silver Fir. | ||
leaves |
cones |
seeds |
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General
Description:
Also known as White Balsam or Silver Fir. A tree up to 75 m tall with a spire-like
crown. The branches are glabrous and shining (may be moderately pubescent &
pale greenish to yellow-brown). Leaves are nearly flat with a pale bluish-green
color. They are blunt with more or less erect on the branches. Dimensions are
5-7 cm long, about 3 mm wide. The staminate cones are red. The mature ovulate
cones are 7-12 cm long, the scales 3-3.5 cm wide, fan-shaped. The bracts are
scarcely half as long as the scales. Seeds are found to be 8-12 mm long with
a wing about twice as long.
Distribution:
Moderate altitudes of the mountains Colo. across Idaho to North. Oregon., south
to New Mexico and California.
Habitat:
Found in low elevations in the mountains.
Other:
Needles can be made into a tea which is diuretic or can be used as an expectorant
or burned as an incense.
The bark can be used externally as an astringent externally with
some disinfectant properties or internally for intestinal tract, lung, or skin/mucosa
problems.
The pitch, bark, and needles can be made into a tea which can be
used as a wash, or drunk several times a day.