[True Firs: The Genus Abies in the Columbia River Gorge of oregon and Washington]

Alpine Fir, Balsam Fir, Subalpine Fir, White Balsam Fir

Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa

Synonyms: Abies blasamea ssp. lasiocarpa, Abies balsamea var. fallax, Abies bifolia, Abies subalpina, Pinus lasiocarpa

Alpine Fir, Balsam Fir, Subalpine Fir, White Balsam Fir: Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa (Synonyms: Abies blasamea ssp. lasiocarpa, Abies balsamea var. fallax, Abies bifolia, Abies subalpina, Pinus lasiocarpa)

The photo above shows a close-up of one stem of subalpine fir as seen along the Island Springs Trail immediately to the east of Little Mt. Adams on the eastern slopes of Mt. Adams........August 25, 2005. The needles are clustered on the upper two-thirds of the stem like a brush.

Alpine Fir, Balsam Fir, Subalpine Fir, White Balsam Fir: Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa (Synonyms: Abies blasamea ssp. lasiocarpa, Abies balsamea var. fallax, Abies bifolia, Abies subalpina, Pinus lasiocarpa)

Dorsal surface of needle with a single row of stomatal bloom and a central groove, more noticeable here towards its base.

Alpine Fir, Balsam Fir, Subalpine Fir, White Balsam Fir: Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa (Synonyms: Abies blasamea ssp. lasiocarpa, Abies balsamea var. fallax, Abies bifolia, Abies subalpina, Pinus lasiocarpa)

Ventral surface of the needle with two broad rows of stomatal bloom.

Alpine Fir, Balsam Fir, Subalpine Fir, White Balsam Fir: Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa (Synonyms: Abies blasamea ssp. lasiocarpa, Abies balsamea var. fallax, Abies bifolia, Abies subalpina, Pinus lasiocarpa)

The double rows of stomatal bloom of the lower needle surface of subalpine fir, as seen at treeline beside Crystal Lake on the western slopes of Mt. Adams.........September 25, 2005.
Paul Slichter