Abies pinsapo, Spanish fir, is a species of tree in the family Pinaceae, native to southern Spain and northern Morocco. Related to other species of Mediterranean firs, it appears at elevations of in the Sierra de Grazalema in the Province of Cádiz and the Sierra de las Nieves and , both near Ronda in the province of Málaga. In Morocco, it is limited to the Rif Mountains at elevations of on and Jebel Tasaot. The scientific name pinsapo is from the Spanish vernacular name for the species.

Description

Abies pinsapo is an evergreen conifer growing to 20–30 m tall, with a conic crown, often becoming irregular with age. The leaves are 1.5–2 cm long, arranged radially all round the shoots, and are strongly glaucous pale blue-green, with broad bands of whitish wax on both sides. The cones are cylindrical, measuring 9–18  cm long. They are green to pinkish-purple before maturity, and have a smooth surface, with short bract scales that do not protrude. When mature, they disintegrate to release the winged seeds.

There are two subspecies:

Conservation

Despite the best conservation and reforestation efforts that have greatly increased the abundance of Spanish fir, it still has several threats such as fires, urban projects, erosion, excessive visitors and tourists, etc.

Cultivation

The cultivars A. pinsapo 'Aurea' (to 8m, with golden new growth) and A. pinsapo 'Glauca' (to 12m plus, with grey-green leaves) have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

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File:Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja (Málaga, España) 10.JPG|Foliage and cones in the Sierra Bermeja

File:Pinsapo en el sendero del Río Majaceite 1.jpg|Foliage, Sierra de Grazalema

File:Pinsapo de las Escaleretas 1.jpg|"Pinsapo de las Escaleretas", the largest known specimen, in the Sierra de las Nieves

File:Pinsapo de las Escaleretas 3.jpg|Trunk of "Pinsapo de las Escaleretas"

File:Piñas de pinsapo (8783339221).jpg|Pollen cones, in the Sierra de las Nieves

File:Abies pinsapo subsp. marocana, Talassemtane, Morocco 2.jpg|subsp. marocana, Talassemtane, Morocco

File:Abies pinsapo var. marocana cone.jpg|subsp. marocana cone, with resin

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References

  • Tourist information for the Sierra de Grazalema (in Spanish)