Information AboutSpruce |
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| color = lightgreen | name = Spruces | image = Picea abies.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Norway Spruce (''Picea abies'') | regnum = Plant ae | divisio = Pinophyta | classis = Pinopsida | ordo = Pinales | familia = Pinaceae | genus = ''Picea'' | genus_authority = Link | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = About 35; see text. }} Spruce (etym.: from Polish "z Prus" means "from Prussia") refers to Tree s of the Genus '''''Picea''''', a genus of about 35 species of Coniferous Evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae , found in the northern Temperate and Boreal ( Taiga ) regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from 20-60 (-95) m tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and Conical form. The needles, or leaves, of spruce trees are attached singly to the branches in a spiral fashion, each needle on a small peg-like structure called a ''pulvinus''. The needles are shed when 4-10 years old, leaving the branches rough with the retained pulvini (an easy means of distinguishing them from other similar genera, where the branches are fairly smooth). Spruces are used as food plants by the Larva e of some Lepidoptera species - see List Of Lepidoptera Which Feed On Spruces . Classification :1 ''Cones with thickish scales; leaves quadrangular in cross-section: section ''Picea ::1a ''Cones with (mostly) pointed scales; leaves blunt or somewhat pointed''
::1b ''Cones with smoothly rounded scales; leaves blunt or somewhat pointed''
::1c ''Cones with smoothly rounded scales; leaves viciously sharp-pointed''
:2 ''Cones with thickish wavy scales, leaves slightly to strongly flattened: section ''Omorika ::2a ''Cones mostly with rounded scales; leaves flattened in section, white below''
::2b ''Cones mostly with wavy scales; leaves slightly flattened in section, often paler below''
:3 ''Cones with very thin, wavy scales: section ''Casicta
Uses cone]] Spruces are popular ornamental trees in Horticulture , admired for their evergreen, symmetrical narrow-conic growth habit. For the same reason, some (particularly ''Picea abies'' and ''P. omorika'') are also extensively used as Christmas Tree s. Spruce Wood , often called ''whitewood'', is used for many purposes, ranging from general construction work and crates to highly specialised uses in wooden aircraft and musical instruments. It is also one of the most important woods for Paper manufacture, as it has long wood fibres which bind together to make strong paper. The Resin was used in the manufacture of Pitch in the past (before the use of Petrochemical s); the scientific name ''Picea'' is generally thought to be derived from Latin ''pix'', pitch (though other etymologies have been suggested). The leaves and branches, or the essential oils, can be used to brew Spruce Beer . The tips from the needles can be used to make spruce tip syrup. Native Americans in eastern North America once used the thin, pliable roots of some species for weaving Basket s and for sewing together pieces of Birch bark for Canoe s. See also Kiidk'yaas for an unusual golden Sitka Spruce sacred to the Haida people. External links
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