Dig deeper at SERNEC, a consortium of southeastern herbaria.
You may also want to check Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina
Spermatophytes (seed plants): Gymnosperms (non-flowering plants): Conifers: Pinales
WEAKLEY'S FLORA (11/30/12):
Abies fraseri
FAMILY
Pinaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Abies fraseri
FAMILY
Pinaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH
VASCULAR FLORA OF THE CAROLINAS (1968) 016-04-001:
Abies fraseri
FAMILY
Pinaceae
COMMON NAME:
Fraser Fir, She Balsam, Southern Balsam
Click or hover over the thumbnails to see larger pictures.
)
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913 pnd_abfr_001_lvd
)
JK Marlow jkm0501b_02
January
)
JK Marlow jkm160503_261
May Jackson County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
)
JK Marlow jkm160503_281
May Jackson County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
)
JK Marlow jkm160503_331
May Jackson County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
)
JK Marlow jkm160503_334
May Jackson County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
After seed cones disintegrate, the spikelike upright central axis is left, per Woody Plants of the Southeastern US: A Winter Guide.
)
JK Marlow jkm160503_336
May Jackson County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
)
JK Marlow jkm170507_721
May Jackson County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
)
JK Marlow jkm170507_722
May Jackson County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
The flat fragrant leaves leave circular scars on the twig when removed, per Woody Plants of the Blue Ridge.
)
Keith Bradley kab_abies_fraseri_8831
May VA
Grayson Highlands State Park
)
Keith Bradley kab_abies_fraseri_8834
May Grayson County VA
Grayson Highlands State Park
)
JK Marlow jkm0407t_34
July Mitchell County NC
The Roan Highlands
The bark has resin blisters, per Woody Plants of the Blue Ridge.
)
Richard and Teresa Ware rtw_a_fraseri_12
July Towns-Union Counties GA
Brasstown Bald
)
Richard and Teresa Ware rtw_a_fraseri_4
July Towns-Union Counties GA
Brasstown Bald
Leaves 2-ranked (esp in lower parts of tree) to spiraled, flexible, per Flora of North America.
)
JK Marlow s050806_ij
August Transylvania County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
Needles not more than 1" long, green above & with chalky white bands below, per Native Trees of the Southeast, An Identification Guide.
COMPARE
needles of Fir, Hemlock and Spruce
)
JK Marlow jkm140913_680
September Haywood County NC
Blue Ridge Parkway
Foliage soft to the touch, with a strong resinous odor when rubbed, per Trees of the Southeastern United States.
COMPARE
conifers (not including Pines)
)
JK Marlow jkm190914_1567
September Swain County NC
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
)
JK Marlow jkm190914_1568
September Swain County NC
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
)
Ron Lance rwl_abiesfraseri
September Jackson County NC
Mature seed cones erect, cylindrical, about 2.5" long, per Native Trees of the Southeast, An Identification Guide.
COMPARE
cones of Fir, Hemlock and Spruce
)
JK Marlow jkm061104_014
November Swain County NC
)
JK Marlow jkm061104_015b
November Swain County NC
)
L.L. (Chick) Gaddy llg_fraserfirredspruce
Month Unknown
Left: soft balsam-scented needles of Fraser Fir. Right: prickly Red Spruce, per Alpine South: Plants and Plant Communities of the High Elevations of the Southern Appalachians.