Picea likiangensis

Lijiang spruce is a member of the pine or Pinaceae family and is native to Bhutan as well as China (southern Qinghai, south and western Sichuan, eastern Xizang (Tibet), and northwestern Yunnan provinces), growing at elevations of 2,500 – 4,100 m. Height can reach up to 35 m; crown is pyramidal in shape. Four separate varieties of the species are commonly recognized.

• Leaves are needle-like, rhombic (4 sides all equal length), 6–15 mm long, 1.5 mm across, straight or slightly curved, spreading forward, with 4-7 stomatal lines on the upper side. Needle tips may be acute or obtuse. Needles are mounted on short pegs (sterigmata).
• Cones are pendulous, non-fragmenting, ovoid-cylindric, 8–13 cm long and 1.7 – 3.5 cm broad when open, colour initially brown or purple, maturing a pale brown. Cone scales are rounded, thin, flexible and serrated on the ends, somewhat resembling P. abies and P. engelmannii.
• Bark is gray or brown-gray, breaking into thick, irregular plates.