Ripe, Open Seed Cone of Caucasian Spruce (Picea orientalis), June, Delaware

Photo of Caucasian Spruce (Picea orientalis)

A spruce seed cone, light brown in color, with open scales, relatively small, held in a hand, with grassy background

Taken on Jun. 9, 2020

This photo shows the ripe, open seed cone of a Caucasian spruce (Picea orientalis), a species that is not native to North America, occasionally used in landscaping, but does not usually survive in the wild here. The seed cones are long and narrow, but relatively small, significantly smaller than those of the Norway spruce (Picea abies). Note also that the tips of the cone scales are more rounded, not flattened or notched at the tips, and the exposed sections of cone scales are broader and more crescent-shaped, and less diamond-shaped.

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CC BY-SA 4.0

Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 1 plant ID/comparison guide:

collage of Norway Spruce and Caucasian Spruce

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) vs. Caucasian Spruce (Picea orientalis)

Updated January 16th, 2023

These two species are easily confused; both are tall and have dark green foliage and similar bark. They are easily told apart by needles and twigs, cones, and form. Both are widely planted in landscaping in Eastern North America, with Norway spruce more common. Norway spruce has widely established in the wild whereas Caucasian spruce has generally not done so. Both species are shade-tolerant; Norway spruce is more tolerant of poor drainage.

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