Abies vejarii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abies vejarii |
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Abies
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vejarii
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Abies vejarii is a type of fir tree that grows in northeastern Mexico. You can find it in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. This tree loves high places, growing on mountains 2,000 to 3,300 meters (about 6,500 to 10,800 feet) above sea level in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range.
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What Does the Vejar Fir Look Like?
The Vejar Fir is a medium-sized evergreen tree. This means it stays green all year round. It can grow quite tall, reaching 35 to 40 meters (about 115 to 130 feet) high.
Its leaves are like needles. They are somewhat flat and measure 1 to 2.5 centimeters (about 0.4 to 1 inch) long. They are grey-green and have tiny pores called stomata on top. Below, they have two greenish-white lines of stomata. The tip of each needle is sharp.
The tree also produces cones. These cones start out a bluish-purple color. As they get older, they turn grey-brown. They are usually 6 to 15 centimeters (about 2.4 to 6 inches) long and 4 to 6 centimeters (about 1.6 to 2.4 inches) wide. Each cone has about 150 to 200 scales.
Each scale has a small leaf-like part called a bract that sticks out a little. Inside the cones are two seeds, each with a wing. When the cones are fully grown, they break apart to let the seeds fly out.
Where Does the Vejar Fir Grow?
Abies vejarii lives on steep mountain slopes. You can find it near the tops of mountains and in cool, deep valleys within the Sierra Madre Oriental range. It grows at elevations from 1,900 to 3,300 meters (about 6,200 to 10,800 feet).
The weather in these areas is cool, with wet winters and drier summers. The soil is usually moist, but it doesn't have a lot of rich plant material (humus).
This fir tree often grows alongside other trees. These include different types of pines and the Mexican Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. lindleyana). You might also see it with oaks, Cupressus arizonica (a type of cypress), and Picea engelmannii subsp. mexicana (a type of spruce).
Types of Vejar Fir
Scientists recognize three different types, or subspecies, of Abies vejarii:
- Abies vejarii var. macrocarpa
- Abies vejarii var. mexicana
- Abies vejarii var. vejarii
How It Got Its Name
The Abies vejarii species was first officially described in 1942. It was named after Octavio Véjar Vázquez. He was the Mexican Minister for Public Education at that time.
See also
In Spanish: Abies vejarii para niños
