Menu list goes here

Herbal Database Search Results


     Back to: Pathways  Main Search Page  For Metaphysical uses visit The Witchs Haven

Picea abies

Common name: Norway Spruce Family: Pinaceae
Author: (L.)H.Karst. Botanical references: 11, 200
Synonyms: Pinus abies (L.), Picea excelsa ((Lam.)Link.), Abies picea (Mill.)
Known Hazards: None known
Range: N. and C. Europe.
Habitat: Not known
Edibility Rating (1-5): 2Medicinal Rating (1-5):1

Other Possible Synonyms:From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
P. obovata[G]
Other Common Names:From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
Fichte [E], Fijnspar [D], Norway Spruce [P,H,DEN1,FEIS,L,B],
Epithets:From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
abies = fir
Systematics:From a USDA Plants Database
Order: Pinales. Pine family
Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
Germany

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen tree growing to 30m by 10m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The scented flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind. It is noted for attracting wildlife. We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Bog Garden, Woodland, Canopy, Ground Cover.

Edible Uses

Flowers Inner bark Seed Tea.

Young male catkins - raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring[172].
Immature female cones - cooked. The central portion, when roasted, is sweet and syrupy[172].
Inner bark - dried, ground into a powder and used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereals when making bread[172]. An emergency food, used when all else fails.
Seed - raw. Rich in oil and with a pleasant slightly resinous flavour, but too small and fiddly to be worthwhile unless you are desperate[172].
A refreshing tea, rich in vitamin C, can be made from the young shoot tips[172]. These tips are also used in making spruce beer[183].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antibiotic Antiseptic Balsamic Expectorant Poultice Sedative.

The buds, leaves and resin are antibiotic, antiseptic, balsamic, expectorant, sedative[7].
A pitch, or resin, obtained from the trunk is rubefacient and stimulant[240]. It is used externally in plasters etc for its healing and antiseptic properties[7]. A poultice of the sap or gum has been used in the treatment of boil and abscess pain[257].

Other Uses

Adhesive Essential Ground cover Pitch Shelterbelt Tannin Varnish Wood.

The tree is a source of pitch (Burgundy pitch) and turpentine (Jura turpentine)[1, 7, 46, 64]. Burgundy pitch is used as a varnish and in medicinal plasters[57]. It is a strong adhesive[61, 64]. The turpentine is a waterproofer and wood preservative. They are obtained by incisions in the trunk, the resin is scraped out some months later[64].
An essential oil from the leaves is used in perfumery[46, 61].
The seed contains 30% of a fatty oil, this is used in the production of a varnish[74].
The bark contains some tannin[171]. Both the bark and bark extract have been widely used in Europe as a source of tannin, the bark containing up to 13% tannin[223]. Yields of tannin have been doubled by heating or steaming the bark as soon as possible after the tree has been felled[223].
A fairly wind resistant tree and fast growing, it can be planted in shelterbelts to provide protection from the wind[200].
The dwarf cultivar 'Inversa' can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[188]. The cultivars 'Reflexa' and 'Procumbens' can also be used[208]. They are best spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].
Wood - medium hard, fairly elastic, durable under water, light in weight and colour. Used for general carpentry, joinery, musical instruments etc. Valued for its use in the pulp industry to make paper[1, 11, 13, 46, 66].

Cultivation details

Likes abundant moisture at the roots, if grown in drier areas it must be given a deep moist soil[11]. Succeeds in most soils including those that are wet cold and shallow, but it is not very wind-firm in shallow soils[1]. Intolerant of chalky or poor acid soils[11]. Tolerates poor peaty soils[200]. Prefers a pH between 4 to 6[200]. Dislikes shade[200] according to one report whilst another says that it is moderately shade tolerant[125]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[11]. Resists wind exposure to some degree and is tolerant of saline winds[200].
A very cold-hardy tree when fully dormant, though the young shoots are subject to injury by late frosts[1], though less so than P. sitchensis[125].
A fast growing tree, it is widely planted in cool temperate zones for its wood[200]. Young trees often grow 1 metre or more a year and can sustain an average of 60cm for at least the first 60 years though growth tails off as they grow older[185]. Probably not that long-lived in Britain, about 200 years seems the absolute maximum[185]. In some upland areas, especially over granitic or other base-poor soils, growth rate and health have been seriously affected by aluminium poisoning induced by 'acid rain' pollution[200]. There are many named varieties, almost all of them dwarf forms[200].
A food plant for many caterpillars[30].
A very aggressive tree, it is hostile to other trees[18]. Susceptible to attacks by bark beetles so it should be kept away from more valuable trees. A biological control is being introduced (1983)[125].
This species is susceptible to honey fungus[81].
Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[200].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[200]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[200]. The seed is shed in spring[1], the cones release their seed whilst they are still on the tree[81].
The bruised leaves emit a delicious musky smell[245].

Propagation

Seed - stratification will probably improve germination so sow fresh seed in the autumn in a cold frame if possible[80]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame[78]. A position in light shade is probably best[78]. Seed should not be allowed to dry out and should be stored in a cool place[80]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, or be placed in an outdoor nursery bed for a year or so to increase in size. They might need protection from spring frosts.
Cuttings of semi-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 8cm long, August in a frame. Protect from frost. Forms roots in the spring[78].
Cuttings of mature terminal shoots, 5 - 10cm long, September/October in a cold frame. Takes 12 months[78].
Cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, early summer in a frame. Slow but sure.

Scent

Leaves: Crushed
The bruised leaves emit a delicious musky smell[245].

Cultivars

'Reflexa'
A pendulous variety that does not develop a leader and eventually covers a wide area with its trailing branches[11], it can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[208]. Plants are best spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].
'Procumbens'
A low, flat-topped shrub to about 75cm tall and much wider[11], it can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[208]. Plants are best spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].
'Inversa'
A dwarf weeping form[200], it can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[188]. Plants are best spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

PFAF Web Pages

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

Web References

References for Picea excelsa (a possible synonym). References for Picea obovata (a possible synonym).
  • [G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
References for picea abies (a possible synonym).

References for the family Pinaceae.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.

[18] Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.

[30] Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982 ISBN 0-330-26642-x
An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[57] Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[64] Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.

[66] Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985 ISBN 0-946284-51-2
Very readable, giving details on plant uses based on the authors own experiences.

[74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[80] McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.

[81] Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X
Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.

[125] ? The Plantsman. Vol. 5. 1983 - 1984. Royal Horticultural Society 1983
Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants..

[171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.

[172] Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[185] Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975 ISBN 0-11-710012-9
A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[223] Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946
A fairly detailed treatise on the major sources of vegetable tannins.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers Comments

  Main Search Page  Help  Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
  Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Picea+abies
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Picea+abies

Creative Commons License Atribution Non commercial Share alike This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
(You can copy, distribute, display this works but: Attribution is required, its for Non-Commercial purposes, and it's Share Alike (GNUish/copyleft) i.e. has an identical license.)
We also ask that you let us know (michael@thewitchshaven.com) if you link to, redistribute, make a derived work or do anything groovy with this information.

Pathways Home  ::  View Cart  ::  Shipping & Returns  ::  Contact Us  ::  Privacy Policy   ::  Philosophy  ::   The Witchs Haven 

We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.

Creative Commons Copyright    &  (c) 2007 Pathways   &   The Witchs Haven     Website hosting by: