Family: Pinaceae
black spruce
Matthew L. Wagner
Michael Clayton
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Picea: Classical Latin name for "pine"
Plants: perennial, 25'-30' tall, evergreen tree; stems hairy
Leaves: 4-sided needles 1/4-1/2" long, often bluish-green with white powder
Fruits: under 1.25" cones - stay on trees
Habitat: wet; bogs
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: perennial, 25'-30' tall, evergreen tree; stems hairy
Leaves: 4-sided needles 1/4-1/2" long, often bluish-green with white powder
Fruits: under 1.25" cones - stay on trees
Habitat: wet; bogs
Conservation Status: Native
Black spruce is an important component of bogs, muskegs, northern tamarack swamps, and the eponymous black spruce swamps. It is also sometimes found in boggy openings in woods, lakeshore forests, boggy marshes and sedge meadows, and in swamps with white cedar-white pine-balsam fir or tamarack-white cedar.
Found across northern Wisconsin with disjunct populations in the acidic soils of the Central Sands and other areas. Black spruce is the primary host of dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium pusillum Peck., but it has also been found on white spruce and rarely other conifers. Infected trees develop distinct aberrant growths called “witch’s brooms”.
Found across northern Wisconsin with disjunct populations in the acidic soils of the Central Sands and other areas. Black spruce is the primary host of dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium pusillum Peck., but it has also been found on white spruce and rarely other conifers. Infected trees develop distinct aberrant growths called “witch’s brooms”.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8, Wetland Indicator = FACW USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Gymnosperms: Photos, descriptions, information USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Michael Clayton
Matthew L. Wagner
Matthew L. Wagner
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Matthew L. Wagner
Aaron_Carlson
