Abies sibirica subsp. semenovii

Scientific name: Abies sibirica subsp. semenovii  (B.Fedtsch.) Farjon  1990

Synonyms: Abies semenovii B.Fedtsch., Abies sibirica var. semenovii (B.Fedtsch.) Tang S.Liu      

Common names: Tienshan fir, Kirgiz fir

Description

Tree to 30(-40) m tall, with slender trunk to 0.6(-1) m in diameter. Bark very gray, cracking into flakes and then plates with age. Branchlets deeply grooved. Buds thinly covered with resin, 2-4(-4.5) mm long, heavily white-resinous. Needles arranged to the sides and above the twigs, directed exclusively upward on high branches, (1-)1.5-2.5(-5) cm long, shiny bright green above, the tips shallowly notched or rounded on lower branches to pointed on those bearing seed cones. Needles with marginal resin canals and five to seven rows of stomates in each stomatal band. Pollen cones about 15 mm long, red. Seed cones elongate egg-shaped, 5-8(-10) cm long, 2-4 cm across, yellowish brown when full grown but not dry. Blades of seed cone bracts wider than long. Seed body 5-6 mm long, the wing up to twice as long.

The known population is confined to Talasskij Ala Tau, Kyrgyzstan; 1,300 - 2,850 m.

Conservation Status

Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern

There is no evidence to suggest that Abies sibirica ssp. semenovii is under a current significant threat, hence is listed as Least Concern.

The species form forests on the upper slopes of the Tien Shan. On north-facing slopes or in steep ravines at altitudes between 1,300 m and 2,850 m asl where moisture from snowmelt remains available through summer.

Deforestation and logging could pose a threat to the taxon.

No conservation actions are known.

Cultivars: -

References

• Farjon, A. (2010). A Handbook of the World's Conifers. Koninklijke Brill, Leiden.
• Eckenwalder, J.E. (2009) Conifers of the World: The Complete Reference. Timber Press, Portland.
• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Cambridge, UK /Gland, Switzerland

Copyright © Aljos Farjon, James E. Eckenwalder, IUCN, Conifers Garden. All rights reserved.