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Picea omorika, commonly known as the Pančić spruce<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> or Serbian spruce (Template:Langx, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}), is a species of coniferous tree endemic to the Drina River valley in western Serbia, and eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a total range of only about 60 ha, at Template:Convert altitude. It was originally discovered near the Serbian village of Zaovine, on Mount Tara, in 1875, and named by the Serbian botanist Josif Pančić;<ref name=farjon>Farjon, A. (1990). Pinaceae. Drawings and Descriptions of the Genera. Koeltz Scientific Books Template:ISBN.</ref><ref name=rushforthc>Rushforth, K. (1987). Conifers. Helm Template:ISBN.</ref><ref name=rushforth>Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins Template:ISBN.</ref> the specific epithet {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} is simply the Serbian word for the tree. (All other spruces are {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.)

DescriptionEdit

It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to Template:Convert tall, exceptionally Template:Convert, with a trunk diameter of up to Template:Convert. The shoots are buff-brown, and densely pubescent (hairy). The leaves are needle-like, 10–20 mm long, flattened in cross-section, dark blue-green above, and blue-white below. The cones are Template:Convert long, fusiform (spindle-shaped, broadest in the middle), dark purple (almost black) when young, maturing dark brown 5–7 months after pollination, with stiff scales.<ref name=farjon/><ref name=rushforthc/><ref name=rushforth/>

CultivationEdit

Outside its native range, Serbian spruce is of major importance as an ornamental tree in large gardens, valued in northern Europe and North America for its very attractive crown form and ability to grow on a wide range of soils, including alkaline, clay, acid and sandy soil, although it prefers moist, drained loam.

It is also grown to a small extent in forestry for Christmas trees, timber and paper production, particularly in northern Europe, though its slow growth makes it less important than Sitka spruce or Norway spruce. In cultivation, it has produced hybrids with the closely related black spruce P. × Machala and also with Sitka spruce.<ref name=farjon/><ref name=rushforthc/>

AGM cultivarsEdit

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Picea omorika 'Nana'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – a dwarf form

  • Picea omorika 'Pendula'<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – a weeping form

EcologyEdit

Because of its limited range, it is not a major source of nutrition to wildlife, but does provide cover for birds and small mammals. Prior to the Pleistocene ice ages, it had a much larger range throughout most of Europe.<ref name=farjon/>

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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