Picea omorika

Picea omorika, common name Pančić spruce[2][3] or Serbian spruce (Serbian: Панчићева оморика, Pančićeva omorika, pronounced [pâːnt͡ʃit͡ɕɛv̞a ɔmɔ̌rika]), is a species of coniferous tree endemic to the Drina River valley in western Serbia, and eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a total range of only about 60 ha, at 800–1,600 m (2,625–5,249 ft) altitude. It was originally discovered near the Serbian village of Zaovine, on Mount Tara, in 1875, and named by the Serbian botanist Josif Pančić;[4][5][6] the specific epithet omorika is simply the Serbian word for the tree. (All other spruces are smrča.)

Picea omorika
Pančić spruce foliage, showing the blue-green undersides of the needles
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnosperms
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Picea
Species:
P. omorika
Binomial name
Picea omorika
(Pančić) Purk.
Natural range

Description
Serbian spruce in its native range. Note extremely slender shape of crown.
Picea omorika 'Pendula'
Young female cone
Serbian spruce seedling with flowers, Petrozavodsk

It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 20 m (66 ft) tall, exceptionally 40 m (131 ft), with a trunk diameter of up to 1 m (3 ft). The shoots are buff-brown, and densely pubescent (hairy). The leaves are needle-like, 10–20 mm long, flattened in cross-section, dark blue-green above, and blue-white below. The cones are 4–7 cm (2–3 in) long, fusiform (spindle-shaped, broadest in the middle), dark purple (almost black) when young, maturing dark brown 5–7 months after pollination, with stiff scales.[4][5][6]

Cultivation

Outside its native range, Serbian spruce is of major importance as an ornamental tree in large gardens, valued in northern Europe and North America for its very attractive crown form and ability to grow on a wide range of soils, including alkaline, clay, acid and sandy soil, although it prefers moist, drained loam.

It is also grown to a small extent in forestry for Christmas trees, timber and paper production, particularly in northern Europe, though its slow growth makes it less important than Sitka spruce or Norway spruce. In cultivation, it has produced hybrids with the closely related black spruce P. × Machala and also with Sitka spruce.[4][5]

AGM cultivars

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[7]

  • Picea omorika[8]
  • Picea omorika ′Nana′[9] (dwarf form)
  • Picea omorika ′Pendula′[10] (weeping form)

Ecology

Because of its limited range, it is not a major source of nutrition to wildlife, but does provide cover for birds and small mammals. Prior to the Pleistocene ice ages, it had a much larger range throughout most of Europe.[4]

References
  1. Aleksić, J.M.; Ballian, D.; Isajev, D.; Mataruga, M.; Christian, T.; Gardner, M. (2017). "Picea omorika". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T30313A84039544. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T30313A84039544.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Cabi, Wallingford; Cabi Invasive Species Compendium, Oxon (Oxford), UK (2019). "Picea omorika (Pancic spruce)". Retrieved 2021-03-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Gligić, Vojin; Šilić, Čedomil & Vukičević, Emilija (2021). "Pančićeva omorika". Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  4. Farjon, A. (1990). Pinaceae. Drawings and Descriptions of the Genera. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3-87429-298-3.
  5. Rushforth, K. (1987). Conifers. Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X.
  6. Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 78. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  8. "Picea omorika". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  9. "RHS Plant Selector Picea omorika 'Nana' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  10. "RHS Plant Selector Picea omorika 'Pendula' AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
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