blue spruce Pinaceae Picea pungens

Leaf:Evergreen needles, 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches long, stiff and very sharp (spine-like), displayed nearly straight out from twig, silvery blue to dark green. Strong acidic taste. Each needle borne on a raised, woody peg (sterigma).
Flower:Species is monoecious; males emerge reddish purple and ripen to yellow-brown, scattered throughout trees; females purple, upright, in tops of the trees.
Fruit:Cones are 2 to 4 inches long, cylindrical, light brown in color, scales are flexible, pointed with jagged erose margins, mature in the fall.
Twig:Stout (when compared to other spruces), hairless, tan; needles are borne on woody pegs; bud scales brown and noticeably reflexed.
Bark:Gray to red-brown, young trees with small, thin scales; older trees still scaly but with shallow furrows.
Form:A medium to large tree with pyramidal form reaching up to 80 feet tall. Branches appear layered, especially with age.

leaf flower fruit twig bark form map

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