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August 1, 2008 : Picea mariana
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Plant Family / Families: Pinaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Picea mariana (Mill.) B. S. P.
Name Location: east off Tok, Alaska, USA
There are approximately 35 species of spruce in the world. Picea mariana, or black spruce, is one of seven that are native to North America (north of Mexico). In comparison, China has sixteen native species.
Black spruce is distributed throughout Canada, Alaska and some northeastern US states, where it is typically a plant of wet organic soils (e.g., swamps and bogs) (distribution map).
Links to investigate: the Silvics of North America factsheet on Picea mariana, the always-excellent conifers.org page on the species, and Picea mariana in the Flora of North America.
I also note that the Plants for a Future database page on Picea mariana cites a reference stating that "The sawdust, the resin from the trunk and even the needles can cause dermatitis in some people." I don't think I ever received dermatitis from trees while walking through bogs in Manitoba, but I do recall a slight burning feeling on my forearms from the many light scratches I received from the sharp dead lower branches.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at August 1, 2008 10:32 AM
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Comments
Posted by: Ginny (in Maine) at August 1, 2008 11:27 AM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Mary Ann, in Toronto at August 1, 2008 12:11 PM
Handsome photographs. Thanks Daniel :-)
Posted by: van at August 1, 2008 12:23 PM
Daniel - I am allergic to the fir bark used in the orchid potting media industry. I have to wear gloves when working with the bark and if I get the dust on my skin while I'm sweating I break out pretty badly.
I'm not sure what specie(s) are used in orchid bark - it's always labeled "Fir Bark".
Posted by: Eric in SF at August 1, 2008 12:38 PM
So THAT's what they are. Nice to know at last. By the way, the bottom photo would make one heck of a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle.
Posted by: Sue in Bremerton WA at August 1, 2008 1:02 PM
What a joy to receive such photos!
I live in South Florida and love tropicals . . . but this is fantastic!
Posted by: Mary Miller at August 1, 2008 1:24 PM
....we all should be more gracious...for living in such a beautiful world....and for people who can see such beauty...and share with the rest of us.....
Posted by: phillip at August 1, 2008 5:22 PM
Eric in SF, this is Eric in SD,
"species" is both singular and plural.
Posted by: Eric Simpson at August 1, 2008 8:13 PM
Both photos are beautiful but I particularly like the second one because of all the layers - clouds, mountains, trees & water, well done.
Posted by: Jeanne at August 2, 2008 12:24 AM
Daniel, you've outdone yourself with these great photos! I notice some of the trees in both pictures seem to be leaning (especially on what looks like a small island in the top photo). Is that typical of Black Spruce? Also, what mountain range is that? Thanks!
Posted by: Janet A. at August 2, 2008 11:00 AM
fine pictures -i like the
first picture -so much to look
at and think about
what lives in the water- do i see
the current moveing in the first
picture-and the blue fog on the moutains
thank you
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at August 2, 2008 12:37 PM
"I notice some of the trees in both pictures seem to be leaning .... Is that typical of Black Spruce?"
Yes, fairly typical, as it so often grows in unstable peat bogs, where the weight of the tree (plus load of winter snow & ice) is more than the peat can keep upright. Notice that the ones on that islet are the worst off, as they aren't in a position to hold each other up at all.
Posted by: Michael F at August 2, 2008 4:37 PM
Eric - yeah, I realized that after I hit 'post' - c'est la vie.
Posted by: Eric in SF at August 2, 2008 7:35 PM
Eric in SF - The kind of orchid bark commonly available in Vancouver is made from bark of older Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir), which is quite corky, unlike that of most (all?) Picea species. Douglas fir is a fire-adapted species, so the bark is relatively thick and insulative. I suspect the same material is packaged for sale across much of North America.
Posted by: Douglas Justice at August 3, 2008 4:31 PM
Cheers for the stunning photos & related info., Daniel! I feel a little bit smarter every time you send a BPOD email!
Posted by: J at August 4, 2008 4:12 AM
Such amazing photographs. And again I say thank you for all the text and links. I really enjoy opening each days Photo.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
Posted by: Margaret-Rae Davis at August 12, 2008 10:19 PM
How you can tell a black from a red or a white spruce seedling is with the aid of a macroscope. This from my homonymous father who wasnt a botanist but a mere silviculturist.
Black spruce cotyledons have small black bumps like fungi on the leaf, red spruce a reddish smudge on the leaf while white neither.
Thought you might like to know if you have a loupe and the three specimens at hand.
Posted by: Alexander Jablanczy at August 15, 2008 1:51 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Stunning photographs, thanks! We have black spruce in our bogs here in Maine but they sure don't look as striking as these.