Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Specialized (needle-like), evergreen
Shape
Linear, four-sided (quadrangular) needles with pointed tips
Margin
Entire (smooth)
Arrangement
Spiral arrangement, appearing crowded along the twig and attached to prominent woody pegs (sterigmata)
Venation
Parallel (single central resin canal)
Key Features
Stiff, four-sided needles that roll easily between the fingers, attached to prominent woody pegs on twigs, accompanied by a pungent or skunk-like scent when crushed
Description
White Spruce is a large, conical evergreen conifer that can grow up to 100 feet tall.
Habitat
Boreal forests, cool moist uplands, borders of lakes and streams, adapting well to a variety of well-drained soils
Native Range
Native to northern North America, spanning from Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland, extending south into the northern United States including Minnesota, Michigan, and New England
Notes
Northern Minnesota