Nikko Fir
Abies homolepis
Pine familiy (Pinaceae)
Near threatened
Loved by deer
The Nikko fir can reach heights of 40 m and bears dark green needles. Although this fir is not one that is usually planted in gardens, it is one of the strongest species of the genus. Particularly noteworthy are the beautiful blue-violet cones that are borne all over the tree. A dwarf variety of the Nikko fir is widely used in Japanese- and rock gardens.
Nikko fir is named after the Nikko region of the main Japanese island of Honshu. The fir grows in mountainous areas with cool, wet summers and winters with lots of snow. Populations are not extensive and difficult to reach. As a result this type of fir is not considered to be of great importance for the logging industry. Most of its natural habitat is now protected. Rejuvenation is difficult because deer eat saplings and gnaw away at the mature trees.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Haren Botanic Garden.
Abies homolepis was first described in 1842 by Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796–1866) and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini (1790–1848). The name 'homolepis' means 'cone scales' (Greek – 'lepis') of only one size. It was first cultivated in the Netherlands by Philipp Franz Balthasar von Siebold in 1859-60 and first planted in North America in, or before, 1870.
Details
| Description: | Conifer, 30 – 40 m tall with a long, thin trunk that is regularly branched, and a cone shaped crown with striated young branches. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Japan |
| Habitat: | Mountains, from 700 - 2200 m, in temperate rainforests with high humidity and cold winters with snow. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic evergreen) |
| Hardiness: | Colder than -4 f (very hardy) |
| Flower color: | Purple, pink, blue, brown |
| Notes on flowers: | The cylindrical cones become smaller towards the apex and are 3 cm wide by 10 cm long; scale bracts, which are initially purple becoming brown with age, are compact and the cone scales short and hidden. |
| Fruit color: | Red |
| Notes on fruits: | The winged seeds are red in colour and the wings are the same length as the cone scales |