中甸冷杉 zhong dian leng shan [Chinese] (Fu et al. 1999).
Syn: A. forrestii var. ferreana (Bordères et Gaussen) Farjon 1990; A. yuana Bordères et Gaussen; A. rolii Bordères et Gaussen; A. chayuensis Cheng et Fu (Farjon 1990). The Flora of China (Fu et al. 1999) recognizes two varieties, the type and longibracteata Fu and Li 1997 (see Remarks), and additionally segregates A. chayuensis as a distinct species. This seems to me excessive, as the taxa in question have extremely similar morphology, habitat and distribution; they are distinguished chiefly on the basis of minor details of cone bract morphology.
Similar to A. forrestii, except Farjon (1990) finds that it has "(strongly) pubescent shoots, medial resin canals and smaller cones," while Fu et al. (1999) notes that the branchlets of A. ferreana are reddish brown or dark brown in 1st year, densely rusty brown pubescent, with the cone bract apex acuminate or cuspidate, usually exserted and reflexed. For var. ferreana, the cone bract apex is rounded, with an acute cusp, usually reflexed or recurved; for var. longibracteata, the cone bract apex is acuminate, obviously exserted, neither reflexed nor recurved. Fu et al. (1999) further differentiate A. chayuensis as having a cone bract apex that is broadly rounded, caudate centrally, with a cusp ca. 5 mm long. It also has branchlets that are pubescent and light yellowish gray, yellowish brown, or grayish brown in the 1st year.
China and Tibet: A. chayuensis in SE Xizang on S-facing slopes at about 3800 m elevation; A. ferreana var. ferreana in SW Sichuan and NW Yunnan at 3300-3800 m; and A. ferreana var. longibracteata in NW Yunnan (Zhongdian Xian), the type specimen collected 1990 at 3950 m elevation (Li and Fu 1997, Fu et al. 1999).
Li Nan and Fu Li-kuo. 1997. Notes on gymnosperms I. Taxonomic treatments of some Chinese conifers. Novon 7: 261-264.
Last Modified 2012-11-23