Pacific Silver Fir

Abies amabilis

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Taxonomy

Division:: Coniferophyta | - Conifers
Family:: Pinaceae
Genus:: Abies
Species:: Abies amabilis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:: Perennial
Growth Habit:: Tree
Height:: More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:: Shade
Drought Tolerance:: High
Bloom Months:: apr, may
Bloom Colors:: Yellow

Native Range

United States: Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, Canada: British Columbia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:: ★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Apotomops wellingtoniana, Brown angle shades (Phlogophora periculosa), Choristoneura orae, Choristoneura sp., Eastern blackheaded budworm (Acleris variana), Eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana), Eupithecia annulata, Eupithecia longipalpata, Eupithecia palpata, Gabriola dyari, Imitated Melanolophia (Melanolophia imitata), larch budmoth (Zeiraphera diniana), Mournful Thorn (Lambdina fiscellaria), Semiothisa granitata, Spiramater lutra, Syngrapha rectangula, Western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis), Zeiraphera improbana, Zeiraphera unfortunana

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:: moist, well-drained, rich loamy soil
pH:: 4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:: good drainage required
Moisture:: consistently moist
Notes:: prefers cool, humid environments

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in fine mesh bags into a 1% hydrogen peroxide (3:1 water/3% hydrogen peroxide) soak for 24 hours, rinsed, and placed in water for an additional 24 hours. The bags are then placed in sealed containers in refrigeration at 1 to 3 °C for 90 days. Alternatively, seeds can be placed in cold moist stratification for 28 days.

Establishment: Abies amabilis is native to the Pacific Northwest, ranging from northern California to Alaska and Idaho. It grows at elevations of 300 to 2,100 m on coastal slopes of the Cascades. Germination is somewhat slow and uneven, and may take up to 3 to 4 weeks to be complete. Germination was found to be greater in dark than light.

Source: npn.rngr.net