Abies mariesii

Abies mariesii, known as Maries' fir or Marie's fir, is an evergreen conifer in the family Pinaceae, order Pinales. It is native to Japan, occurring in subalpine forests on the main island of Honshu and on Shikoku, typically at elevations of 1,500 to 2,800 meters. The species grows in cool, snowy mountain environments, often forming forests with other Japanese conifers such as Abies veitchii and various larches, as well as broadleaved trees at lower elevations of its range. The tree is named after the plant collector Charles Maries, who introduced it to Western horticulture in the 1870s. Abies mariesii is a medium-sized fir reaching 20 to 30 meters in height, with a narrowly conic crown and whorled horizontal branches. The bark is gray and smooth on young trees, becoming rougher with age. Needles are short and densely packed, dark green on the upper surface with brilliant white stomatal bands beneath, giving the undersides a striking silvery appearance. The dense needle covering of branches creates a lush, full appearance valued in ornamental settings. Seed cones are erect, cylindrical, and distinctly deep purple or dark blue-violet, measuring 4 to 8 centimeters, among the more attractively colored in the genus. These cones stand prominently above the foliage before disintegrating at maturity. Abies mariesii is cultivated in botanic gardens for its ornamental appeal, particularly its vivid cones and dense silvery foliage.