Abies magnifica var. shastensis

Shasta red fir

Family: Pinaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Shasta red fir is a native conifer found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in upper mixed-conifer to subalpine forests at elevations of 1,350 to 2,800 meters. Although the Jepson description lacks flowering details, this tree produces distinctive seed cones 15 to 20 centimeters long with uniquely reflexed bracts that cover less than 25 percent of the cone surface. Growing as a large coniferous tree with a pyramidal form, it develops from seedlings with 5 to 8 cotyledons into a majestic forest species. Its branches are typically arranged in horizontal whorls with dense, bluish-green needle-like leaves characteristic of high-elevation conifers. The tree's seed cones demonstrate an intricate architectural pattern with partially exposed bracts, highlighting its distinctive reproductive structures.

Habitat: Upper mixed-conifer to subalpine forests

Elevation: 1350-2800 m

Bioregions: KR, CaRH, s SNH

California counties: Inyo, Siskiyou, Tulare, Glenn, Tehama, Lake, El Dorado, Trinity, Shasta, Mariposa, Colusa, Humboldt, Fresno, Madera, Kern, Mendocino

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.