Picea abies - Norway Spruce

Taxonomy

Phylum: ??

Class: ??

Order: Pinales

Family: Pinaceae

This well-known evergreen is better known as the Christmas Tree; it was introduced from mainland Europe into Britain.

spruce flowers

Spruce leaves (needles) are dark green, four-sided and pointed.

Spruce cones (with scarlet elf cup fungi)

The cones of Norway Spruce, often 12 to 15 cm long, are stalkless and are shed intact.

Picea sitchensis, the Sitka Spruce, was introduced into Britain from North America in 1831 and is now widely planted here. It is a taller tree and has much shorter cones.