Abies numidica (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 25m
Eventual Spread: 12m
Hardiness: 6a – 9a
Family: Pinaceae
Abies numidica is an evergreen tree with a narrowly conical habit. Its glossy dark green leaves are needle like, up to 25mm long and 3mm broad. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 1m. Its grey/ brown bark is smooth on a young tree, becoming fissured and scaly with age. Its flowers are green/ yellow pollen cones. Its fruit are erect cones, grey/ green when young, maturing to brown, up to 20cm long and 4cm broad.
Abies numidica, commonly known as the Algerian Fir, is native to Algeria, North Africa. In its native habitat it grows at an altitude between 1300m – 2000m where the summers are dry and precipitation falls as snow during winter months. This tree is classified as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The etymological root of the binomial name Abies is derived from the ancient Latin name for the Fir tree. Numidica is derived from the ancient Latin name for Algeria (Numidia).
The landscape architect may find Abies numidica useful as an attractive evergreen tree which is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Abies numidica seeds are attractive to some birds.
Abies numidica Leaf (27/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Abies numidica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil, although it will tolerate an alkali soil.
Abies numidica requires little maintenance. This Fir is tolerant of formative pruning.
