Identification: Picea glauca and Picea pungens

Discussion in 'Gymnosperms (incl. Conifers)' started by garcan, Jan 22, 2014.

  1. garcan

    garcan Active Member 10 Years

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    What are the distinguishing characteristics between Picea glauca and Picea pungens (without the cones)?
     
  2. tsugajunkie

    tsugajunkie Active Member

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    P. glauca needles smell like a skunk when crushed, hence one of it's common names is Skunk Spruce.
    P. pungens needles are very sharp pointed. One might say they are pungent.

    tj
     
  3. garcan

    garcan Active Member 10 Years

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    Thanks tj.
    I guess these attributes are relative. I handle a lot of Picea glauca associated cultivars, and don't find their smell unplesant LOL.
    Indeed the P. pungens needles are generally more sharp then the P. glauca cultivars that I have. However, I have one plant that came to me many years ago with a label of Picea g. Golden Kling. Although I was not able to establish 'Golden Kling' as a valid name anywhere, I want to at least correctly identify whether it is a glauca or pungens or other picea with a 'g' initial. http://gardencanadensis.ca/forums/piceaGoldenKling.jpg
     
  4. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Picea pungens needles are also usually 1.5-2 times as long as P. glauca needles.
     
  5. garcan

    garcan Active Member 10 Years

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    Thanks Michael.
    With your input and tj's input, now I am leaning to identify my plant as more likely a pungens.
     

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