Douglas Fir

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Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen conifer of the PINE family (Pinaceae). Six species of Pseudotsuga ("false hemlock") are recognized: 2 in western North America; 4 in China, Taiwan and Japan. Only P. menziesii occurs in Canada, along the West Coast, east into the Rocky Mountains and extending south to central Mexico. A coastal variety (var menziesii) may attain heights of 100 m and diameters of 2 m; an interior variety (var glauca) is smaller.

The leaves of the Douglas fir are evergreen, needlelike and 2-3 cm long. The cones are 5-10 cm long, have rounded scales and distinct, three-pronged bracts (modified leaves). Pollination occurs in early spring; seeds are shed in late summer or fall. Douglas fir resembles true firs, hemlocks and spruces but is most closely related to the LARCH. One of the most important timber species in North America, it is now planted in many regions of Europe. Canada's tallest Douglas fir, 94.3 m in height and 8.07 m in circumference, stands near Coquitlam, BC.

See also David DOUGLAS.

Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir
Douglas fir with male flowers (bottom left), female flowers (top left) and cones (artwork by Claire Tremblay).
Rooftop Canopy
Rooftop Canopy
The "rooftop" canopy of old growth West Coast rainforests is just beginning to be explored. More than 600 species of insects have been discovered. Shown here is a 70 m Douglas fir tree (photo by Don E. McAllister).
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir
Douglas fir branch and cones (courtesy John N. Owens).

Author JOHN N. OWENS


Links to Other Sites
The Plant List
Search this online database for information about one million plant species from around the world. Also, click on "major plant groups" at the bottom of the page to browse descriptions of species of interest. Fungi and algae are excluded. From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK and the Missouri Botanical Garden in the US.

The Ecological Framework of Canada
This site describes Canada's ecozones and the general concepts of ecological classification. Based on data developed by Environment Canada.

Flora of North America
The FNA website features information on the names, taxonomic relationships, continent-wide distributions, and morphological characteristics of all plants native and naturalized found in North America north of Mexico.

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