1. Àbies balsàmea, Mill. (Common Balsam-fir.) Leaves narrow, linear, ½ to ¾ in. long, and much crowded, silvery beneath; those on the horizontal branches spreading into 2 ranks. Bark yielding Canada balsam from blisters. Cones erect, on spreading branches, 2 to 4 in. long and 1 in. thick, cylindric, violet-colored, with mucronate-pointed bracts extending beyond the scales and not reflexed. Wild in cold, wet grounds; 20 to 45 ft. high, with numerous horizontal branches. Has been cultivated quite extensively, although there are better Firs for ornamental purposes.
A. Fràseri.
2. Àbies Fràseri, Lindl. (Fraser's or Southern Balsam-fir.) Leaves ½ to ¾ in. long, somewhat 2-ranked, linear, flattened, obtuse, emarginate, whitish beneath, the lower ones curved and the upper ones erect. Cones oblong, 1 to 2 in. long, with sharp-pointed bracts half exserted and reflexed. A rare, small tree, 30 to 40 ft. high, growing wild in the mountains, from Virginia south. A hardy tree and handsome when young.
A. Nordmanniàna.
3. Àbies Nordmanniàna, Link. (Nordmann's Silver Fir.) Leaves very numerous, crowded, broad, linear, blunt or erose-dentate at the ends, somewhat curved, of unequal length, 1 in. or less long, deep green above and whitened beneath. Cones large, 5 in. long, ovate, erect, with very obtuse scales; bracts exserted and recurved. A beautiful large tree, 50 to 80 ft. high, occasionally cultivated; with numerous horizontal branches and smooth bark.
A. fírma.
4. Àbies fírma, S. and Z. (Japan Silver Fir.) Leaves ¾ to 1 in. long, very closely 2-ranked, slightly twisted, linear, somewhat notched at the end, smooth and dark above, somewhat silvery below. Cones 3 to 4½ in. long, 1 to 1½ in. in diameter, straight, cylindric, with broad, downy, leathery, crenulated scales; bracts exserted, with acute, slightly recurved points. A beautiful tall tree with somewhat the habit of the common Silver Fir; recently introduced from Japan, and hardy as far north as central New York.