Abies spectabilis (Talispatra)

Abies spectabilis is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m at a slow rate; trunk to more than 1.5 m d.b.h.; bark rough, scaly; branchlets yellowish grey, brown, or reddish brown, furrowed, pubescent or glabrous, densely leafy; winter buds globose or ovoid, resinous. Leaves ascending on upper side of cone-bearing branchlets, pectinately arranged in 2 lateral sets on young and vegetative branchlets, bright green adaxially, linear, 2-6 cm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, stomatal lines in 2 white bands abaxially, resin canals 2, marginal, apex emarginate or 2-cleft. Seed cones dark purple, maturing to dark brown or blue-brown with a little purple, cylindric, 8.5-20 cm long, 4.5-7.5 cm wide. Seed scales at middle of cones flabellate-trapeziform, 2.3-2.8 cm long, 2.8-3.4 cm wide, and margin auriculate and thin laterally. Bracts included, spatulate, 1/3-1/2 as long as seed scales, apex with an acute, short cusp. Seeds ca. 1 cm; wing broadly cuneate, longer than seeds, apex truncate. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind.

The species has a wide distribution from East Nepal into eastern Afghanistan. It occurs along the southern side of the Himalaya and outlying ridges, forming forests at higher elevation. Abies spectabilis is usually the dominant tree in the stands but may occur with other conifers or broadleafed trees such as Betula and Acer in parts of the range.

Abies spectabilis is the dominant tree in the forests of the central and western Himalaya, especially from c. 3,000 m to 4,000 m, with occasional occurrences on ridges below this height. It needs cool moist conditions at the roots, thus growing better on north facing slopes and often giving way to grass or shrubs on south facing ones.

IUCN Catagory: Near Threatened (ver 3.1)

Local Name	:	Talispatra, Thaasing (Sherpa)
English Name	:	Fir
Family	:	Pinaceae
Scientific Name	:	Abies spectabilis (D. Don.) spach
Habit	:	Tree up to 30 m
Flowering Period	:	October to December
Fruiting Period	:	April to August
Habitat	:	Temperate and Alpine zone
Occurrence in Nepal	:	Southern Slope of Higher Mountain
Use	:	Medicine (young leaves), dye (yonger fruit), timber, resin, making paper