How to identify Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis)
Oriental spruce exhibits a distinctive conical shape, characterized by a dense and compact growth habit with tiered branches that vary from upright to horizontal and even drooping. The branches stretch out, covering the full height of the tree, often reaching down to the ground. This evergreen has short needles and adapts to a wide range of soil qualities, even those with low fertility. Its preference for cooler climates and sensitivity to heat and humidity is notable. Additionally, oriental spruce benefits from shelter against severe winter winds, which can impact its health. The tree's need for specific environmental conditions should be taken into account when planting.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree
Leaf Type: Evergreen
Conical tree shape with tiered branches reaching the ground.
Needles are short, dark green to black, 0.4-0.6 inches long.
Fruit is conical, initially reddish-purple, then turning brown.
Bark starts smooth, later cracking into rounded plates.
Leaves have 4-sided needles with fine longitudinal lines.
The leaves of oriental spruce are dark green to nearly black and are tightly set along the branches. They are small, needle-like, and rigid, measuring approximately 0.4 to 0.6 inches (10 to 15 mm) in length. Each needle is 4-sided, with fine lines—ranging from 1 to 4 on each side—running longitudinally along their surface. The texture is relatively stiff, contributing to the dense, almost brush-like appearance of the foliage.
Oriental spruce flowers are generally inconspicuous and not a primary feature for identification. These flowers are small, with a yellow to pale green hue, measuring approximately 0.1 inches (2-3 mm) in diameter. Lacking distinct petals, they are typically arranged in clusters on slender, cylindrical spurs. The flowers produce no noticeable scent and bloom primarily in late spring. Given their modest size and coloration, they blend seamlessly into the plant’s foliage, often going unnoticed.
The fruit of oriental spruce is a conical-shaped cone, displaying a striking reddish-purple hue in its youth. As the fruit reaches maturity, it undergoes a color transformation to a rich brown. The texture, initially quite woody and stiff, grows harder over time. With length typically ranging from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm), these cones stand as distinctive markers of the species. Known for their spiral arrangement of scales, the cones are commonly found hanging downwards from the branches.
Scan QR code to download
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Identify a Plant Online
Scientific Classification of Oriental spruce
