Chinese spruce Picea asperata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-see-uh as-per-AH-tuh
- Description
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A conifer having a broadly conical crown and horizontal branches. it is somewhat pendulous (droopy) with age. It has dark brown bark that flakes into lighter brown scales.
The timber is used for construction, aircraft, railway sleepers, furniture, and wood fiber. The trunk is used for the production of resin, the roots, branches, and leaves can be used for the production of aromatic oils. Young male catkins can be eaten raw or cooked, also used as a flavoring. The female cones are edible once cooked. After roasting, the central portion is sweet and syrupy. The inner bark can be dried and ground into a powder. Used as a thickener in soups or added to cereals. Although small, the seed can be eaten raw. Young shoot tips can make a refreshing tea.
It is typically found in forests at higher elevations, forming extensive stands. Pollination is performed by the wind.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Picea
- Species:
- asperata
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western China
- Edibility:
- The flowers, inner bark, and seed can be eaten. Also used in teas.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Light brown to chestnut brown cones
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 4-sided bluish needles that are more dense on the upper surface, stiff and prickly.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Furrowed into irregular, rough, scaly plates.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Brownish-yellow or reddish-brown when young. Turn brown or brownish-gray in its 2nd to 3rd year.
