Abies sp.
Fir, Fir
Family: Pinaceae · Type: Shrub · Variable; species dependent
Abies sp. (Fir) is a non-native California shrub in the Pinaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudotsuga: Fir cones stand upright and disintegrate on tree; Douglas-fir cones hang down with pitchfork bracts and fall intact.; vs Pinus: Fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs; pine needles come bundled in groups of 2-5.; vs Picea: Fir twigs are smooth after needle drop; spruce twigs have rough, persistent peg-like bumps.; vs Sequoia: Fir has individual flat needles and upright cones; redwood has flat sprays of scale-like leaves and small round cones.; vs Cedrus: Fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs; cedar needles grow in dense rosettes on short shoots with barrel-shaped cones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abies sp. native to California?
No. Abies sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Abies sp. belong to?
Abies sp. is in the Pinaceae family, genus Abies.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Abies amabilis — Pacific silver fir
- Abies bracteata — Bristlecone fir
- Abies concolor — White fir
- Abies grandis — Grand fir
- Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa — Subalpine fir
- Abies magnifica — California red fir
- Picea breweriana — Brewer spruce
- Picea engelmannii — Engelmann spruce
- Picea sitchensis — Sitka spruce
- Picea sp. — Spruce
Sources: Jepson eFlora
Last updated 2026-09-25
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.