Brief SummaryRead full entry A. alba is a large evergreen
coniferous tree generally growing to 40–50 m (98–130 feet) tall
and with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 m (over 4.5 feet). It
occurs at altitudes of 300-1,700 m (mainly over 500 m). Leaves
are needle-like, flattened, 1.8–3 cm long and 2 mm wide by 0.5
mm thick, glossy dark green above, and with two greenish-white
bands of stomata below. Leaftips are usually slightly notched at
the tip. Cones are 9–17 cm long and 3–4 cm broad, with about
150-200 scales, each scale with an exserted bract and two winged
seeds. As is characteristic of the genus, the cones disintegrate
when mature to release the seeds. A. alba is dominant in some
forest stands in the Alps, or may co-occur with spruce (Picea
sp.), or with hardwoods, commonly beech (Fagus sp.). It is
closely related to Bulgarian fir (A. borisiiregis) of the Balkan
Peninsula, and Sicilian fir (A. nebrodensis) in Sicily; it
differs from these and other related Euro-Mediterranean firs in
the sparser foliage. Some