Picea likiangensis (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 50m
Eventual Spread: 20m
Hardiness: 6b – 9a
Family: Pinaceae
Picea likiangensis is an evergreen coniferous tree with a broad conical crown. Its dark green/ blue leaves are needle like, up to 15mm long and 1.5mm broad. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 2.5m. Its grey/ brown bark is scaly which fissures with age. Its flowers are in the form of pollen cones, the female juvenile cone is purple. Its fruit are pendulous cones which when mature are pale brown and up to 12cm long and 3.5cm broad.
Picea likiangensis Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Picea likiangensis, commonly known as the Likiang Spruce, is native to southwest China and Bhutan. In its native habitat it grows in mountainous woodlands.
The etymological root of the binomial name Picea is derived from the Lain Pix meaning ‘pitch or tar’ in reference to the Spruce trees resin. Likiangensis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Lijiang’ (Yunnan Provence, China).
The landscape architect may find Picea likiangensis useful as a large evergreen parkland tree. This tree is not attractive to deer.
Ecologically, Picea likiangensis seeds are attractive to some birds.
Picea likiangensis Cone (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Picea likiangensis prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Picea likiangensis requires little maintenance.
