What are the distinguishing characteristics between Picea glauca and Picea pungens (without the cones)?
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
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
Thanks Michael. With your input and tj's input, now I am leaning to identify my plant as more likely a pungens.