Abies hidalgensis
Abies hidalgensis
The Hidalgo fir (Abies hidalgensis Debreczy, Rácz & Guízar, 1995) is an arboreal species belonging to the Pinaceae family.
Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Pinophyta Division,
Pinopsida class,
Order Pinales,
Pinaceae family,
Genus Abies,
A. hidalgensis species.
Etymology –
The term Abies comes from Abies which is the classical Latin name (Virgil, Egloghe, from the Sanskrit root abh gush of resin); according to another interpretation it would derive from the Greek word ἄβιος = long-lived.
The specific epithet hidalgensis refers to the Mexican state of Hidalgo, where the restricted area of occupation of this species is found.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Abies hidalgensis is an endemic species of a small area, about 10 km², of the Mexican state of Hidalgo, just north of Metepec, in a canyon at 2,000-2,200 m above sea level.
Its habitat is that of the mixed forest with the presence of Pinus patula, Pinus teocote, Cupressus lusitanica, Alnus firmifolia, Buddleia cordata and Sambucus mexicana.
Description –
Abies hidalgensis is a coniferous tree with a conical habit.
The trunk is straight and cylindrical and the bark, initially gray and smooth, with age conforms into plates that reveal the red periderm below.
The upper main branches are ascending, the lower ones descending; the secondary branches, initially covered with yellowish-brown hair, become rigid and smooth with age.
The buds are small, slightly resinous, partially hidden by the foliage; the pearls that cover them are triangular in shape.
The leaves are needle-like, glossy, dark green, up to 5 cm long, arranged like a comb, with marginal or bifid apex.
The female strobili are green, pruinose when ripe, cylindrical, with umbilicated or slightly obtuse apex, 6.5-8 cm long and up to 4 cm broad, with short peduncle; the scales are flabellate, green or yellowish-green with dense and short white hair.
Male strobili are about 1 cm long, yellow with slightly pubescent microsporophylls. The seeds are irregularly triangular, with gray-yellowish wings.
Cultivation –
Abies hidalgensis is a conifer endemic to a restricted area of the Mexican state of Hidalgo, just north of Metepec, in the Eastern Sierra Madre, where it grows in a canyon at 2,000-2,200 m of altitude, in its natural state in mixed forests with presence of other plants including: Pinus patula, Pinus teocote, Cupressus lusitanica, Alnus firmifolia, Buddleia cordata and Sambucus mexicana.
Customs and Traditions –
Abies hidalgensis is a recently classified plant having been classified only in 1995.
Being a rare and recently discovered species, there is no news of specific uses or cultivation of the plant for ornamental purposes or for other uses.
Abies hidalgensis is not subjected to particular threats, but since it is a rare species and currently found in a single, unprotected location, it is classified among the species vulnerable to a future and possible risk of extinction on the IUCN Red List.
Preparation Method –
Abies hidalgensis is a plant whose uses are unknown, although it is possible that in the growing areas it has been used over time for timber.
There are also no known uses for food or medicinal purposes.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://repo.rbge.org.uk/image_server.php?kind=1500&path_base64=L2hlcmJhcml1bV9zcGVjaW1lbl9zY2Fucy9FMDAvMDMyLzIzMC82MTIzNDguanBn
Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.