Guatemalan Fir
Abies guatemalensis Rehder
Abies guatemalensis, known as Guatemalan Fir, is a species of fir native to Central America. It is the southernmost member of the genus Abies, found from southern Mexico to Honduras and El Salvador. This evergreen tree thrives in tropical mountain coniferous and mixed cloud forests, requiring warm and moist conditions. It is highly sensitive to frost. Due to logging and habitat loss, it is considered threatened and is listed in CITES Appendix I for protection.
Description
Abies guatemalensis is a member of the Pinaceae family and is distributed across several Central American countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. It grows in high-altitude tropical forests and is adapted to warm, humid environments. The species is vulnerable due to deforestation and exploitation, prompting its inclusion in CITES Appendix I to regulate international trade and protect its populations. Its range extends to latitudes below 14° N, making it the most southerly distributed fir species in the genus Abies.
Other common names
Guatemalan Fir
Distribution
Global · El Salvador · Guatemala · Honduras · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest
Synonyms
Abies guatemalensis subsp. ixtepejiensisAbies guatemalensis subsp. longibracteataAbies guatemalensis subsp. rushforthiiAbies guatemalensis subsp. tamaulipasensisAbies guatemalensis subsp. zapotekensisAbies guatemalensis var. ixtepejiensisAbies guatemalensis var. longibracteataAbies guatemalensis var. rushforthiiAbies guatemalensis var. tacanensisAbies guatemalensis var. tamaulipasensisAbies tacanensisAbies zapotekensisAbies guatemalensis var. guatemalensis