Foliage of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) Growing in Shade
Photo of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)
![branches of a conifer covered in flat rows of deep green needles, illuminated by sunlight, in a shady coniferous forest](/photos/u/1826a0373e36fa7b03bd83894b9d20eb-640.jpg)
This photo shows the foliage of a balsam fir (Abies balsamea) growing in a shady, forested setting. In low-light conditions, the needles arrange themselves flat along the twig, so as to maximize the capture of sunlight. Shade-grown foliage also tends to have a rich green color, contrasting with the more bluish color of sun-grown foliage, like in this photo.