Picea koraiensis

Picea koraiensis

Korean spruce (Picea koraiensis Nakai, 1919) 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,
Class Pinopsida,
Pinales Order,
Pinaceae family,
Genus Picea,
P. koraiensis species.
The terms are synonyms:
– Picea intercedens Nakai;
– Picea intercedens var. glabra Uyeki;
– Picea koraiensis subsp. tonaiensis (Nakai) Silba;
– Picea koraiensis var. intercedens (Nakai) Y.L.Chou;
– Picea koraiensis var. intercedens (Nakai) Y.L.Chou & S.L.Tung;
– Picea koraiensis var. nenjiangensis S.Q.Nie & X.Y.Yuan;
– Picea koraiensis var. tonaiensis (Nakai) T.Lee;
– Picea koyamae var. koraiensis (Nakai) Liou & Z.Wang;
– Picea pungsanensis var. intercedens (Nakai) T.Lee;
– Picea tonaiensis Nakai.
The following varieties are recognized within this species:
– Picea koraiensis var. koraiensis;
– Picea koraiensis var. pungsanensis (Uyeki ex Nakai) Farjon.

Etymology –
The term Picea, already used by the Latins, could, according to an etymological interpretation, derive from Pix picis = pitch, in reference to the abundant production of resin.
The specific epithet koraiensis refers to the geographical region of origin of the plant, Korea.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Picea koraiensis is a conifer native to the Korean peninsula, near the Yalu River, and on the banks of the Ussuri River, in Siberia, mainly.
This plant grows in China: Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia and Changbai Shan; North Korea (mainly along the Yalu River) and Russia (on the Ussuri River). In Russia only in southernmost Ussuriland but very rare; the pungsanensis variety is restricted to Mount Pung-San in North Korea.
Its habitat is that of cool climates, with snowy winters and annual rainfall exceeding 1000 mm. It is found in mixed forests with other conifers such as Abies nephrolepis, Pinus sibirica, Larix gmelinii var. olgensis and Picea obovata; on the mountains contiguous to the Sea of Japan it grows at altitudes between 1000 and 1500 m, preferring the slopes or the banks of water courses, on heterogeneous soils, including alluvial ones.

Description –
Picea koraiensis is a conifer that grows up to 30 m.
The trunk can reach 0.8 m in diameter and the crown is pyramidal; the shoots are orange-brown, glabrous or with scattered pubescences.
The gray or red-brown bark peels off easily.
The leaves are needle-like, of a dark bluish-green colour, 12-22 mm long, with a rhombic section, with several stomatal lines. The vegetative buds are ovoid-conical in shape, slightly resinous, of a reddish-brown colour.
The female cones have a conical-cylindrical shape, 4-8 cm long and 2 cm broad, of a pale brown color when ripe, 5-7 months after pollination. The macrosporophylls are rigid, rounded.
The seeds are dark gray in colour, are about 4 mm long, with an oblong-obovate winged part, up to 1,2 cm long and of a pale brown colour.
Pollination takes place between May and June and the seeds ripen in September-October.

Cultivation –
Picea koraiensis is a conifer that thrives in a cool, humid climate. It adapts well to regions with cold and long winters, during which the plant enters dormancy, and moderate and cool summers.
This species can tolerate harsh winters, with temperatures even dropping below zero. However, in summer, it prefers moderate temperatures, usually below 25°C.
It requires an adequate amount of rainfall throughout the year to develop well. In the wild, it is often found in areas with annual rainfall ranging from 600mm to 1200mm.
The species prefers well-drained, fertile soils. A soil that is too clayey or with stagnant water can damage the roots of the tree. A slightly acidic pH is generally preferred.
Picea koraiensis tends to grow best in full sun or places with filtered light. Prolonged exposure to shade can slow growth and make the tree less robust.
It is mainly propagated through seeds, which can be harvested from mature plants and used for germination.
The seeds are collected from the mother plant when the cones have opened and the seeds are ready for dispersal, usually in the autumn.
Seeds may have a hard shell, so it may be helpful to scarify or soak them in hot water to soften them slightly before sowing. This will allow for easier germination.
A soil suitable for the germination of conifers should be used, preferably a mixture of peat and sand to ensure good drainage. Fill a container with this substrate, such as a planting tray or pot.
The prepared seeds are placed on the surface of the soil in the container, pressing them lightly to make them adhere to the soil without covering them completely and adding a thin layer of soil over the seeds.
At this point the soil is gently irrigated to maintain humidity but avoid overwatering it.
The containers or vases should be placed in a bright place with indirect light. The Picea koraiensis prefers a cool environment, therefore it is advisable to avoid direct exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
Germination may take a few weeks or even months.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, you can transplant them into individual pots with suitable soil for the young seedlings. Over time, the young plants will grow and can be transplanted outdoors when they reach a suitable size.

Customs and Traditions –
Picea koraiensis is a plant known by various names such as: Korean spruce; 종비나무 (Korean), Ель корейская (Russian), 红皮云杉 hongpi yunshan (Chinese).
This conifer has a certain economic importance for the exploitation of its wood, although less than that of P. jezoensis due to the less extensive range; it is used locally in construction and in the paper industry.
In Finland and northern Russia large areas have been reforested with this species, while its cultivation in vegetable gardens and botanical gardens is not very common.
The wood is light but strong, making it useful for making furniture, veneers, panels, and boxes. It is also used for the construction of light structures, such as wooden houses and bridges.
Also due to its shape and leaf color, it is sometimes used as a Christmas tree in Christmas decorations, especially in Korea and other parts of Asia.
From an ecological point of view it is a food source for wildlife: Seeds and needles are an important food source for various wildlife species, such as birds and rodents.
Between the 70s and the 90s it was abundantly exploited in China, deforestation which currently continues in the part of the range in Russian territory; however the decline of the species, whose population is abundant in the native range, is still sustainable and therefore it is classified as a species of minimum risk (least concern) in the IUCN Red List.

Method of Preparation –
Picea koraiensis is a conifer that has no particular food or medicinal uses, however an essential oil is extracted from the leaves and branches. This oil has potential therapeutic properties and can be used in aromatherapy for relaxation and stress reduction.
The other uses, as mentioned, concern the use of its wood or as an ornamental plant.

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://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/30665426/original.jpeg
– https://plant.depo.msu.ru/open/public/item/MW0000727/img/0.jpg?gbif

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.