Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham.

Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. & Cham. is a medium-sized to large evergreen coniferous tree. It reaches 25–50 m (82–164 ft) in height, with a trunk diameter up to 2 meters (6.6 ft).

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves are flattened, needle-like, measuring 1.5–3.5 cm (0.59–1.38 in) long, 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide, and 0.5 mm (0.020 in) thick. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, while the lower surface has two blue-white bands of stomata, and the leaf tip is acute.

Leaf Arrangement

Leaves are arranged in a spiral pattern along the shoot, but each leaf has a variable twist at its base that causes leaves to lie flat on either side and above the shoot, with no leaves growing below the shoot. Shoots are reddish-brown, and are either hairless or have scattered fine hairs.

Cone Features

The cones are 8–16 cm (3.1–6.3 in) long and 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) wide, and are dark blue-purple before they reach maturity. The scale bracts on the cones are purple or greenish, are moderately long, and their tips are exposed when the cone is closed.

Seed Dispersal

Winged seeds are released when mature cones disintegrate, around 7–9 months after pollination.

Range Variation

Trees growing at the western end of the species' range on Nevado de Colima, Jalisco bear cones with larger, reflexed bract scales, similar to the cones of noble fir. These populations are sometimes classified as a separate species, Abies colimensis.