Scientific Name:
Cedrus atlantica
Glauca Group
Pronunciation:
SEE-druss at-LAN-tih-kuh
Common Name:
blue Atlas cedar
Family Name:
Pinaceae
Plant Type:
Conifer
Key ID Features:
Pyramidal growth (older tress irregular or flattened); needles blue-green, 4-sided, sharp tipped, stiff, linear, 15-25mm long x 1-1.5mm wide, in clusters of 20-45 on short, stout lateral spurs or spirally arranged on longer stems; pollen cones mature in autumn, 3-4cm long, light brown, cylindrical (barrel shaped); seed cones erect, sessile, green then brown, barrel-shaped, 5-8 x 3-5cm, ripen to brown over 2 years; seeds ovoid-conical, brown, 8-13mm long with a 18-25mm wing. Conifers.org
Habit:
Horizontal, Open
Form:
Pyramidal - widely
Texture:
Very coarse
Mature Height:
> 30m
Mature Spread:
7 - 10m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa, Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Specimen plant, Tall background, Wind break
Additional Info:
Google. Compare to cedar of Lebanon (very similar but has larger cones). Cultivars shown or on campus may include C. 'Sapphire Nymph' and C. 'Glauca Pendula' (syn. Cedrus libani ssp. atlantica 'Glauca Pendula').
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Needle-like
Arrangement:
Spiraled
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Colour in Summer:
Bluish, Green
Colour in Fall:
Bluish, Green
Shapes:
Acicular
Apices:
Acuminate, Acute
Margins:
Inflorescence Type:
n/a (male cone)
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Colour (petals):
Male cone, No flowers, Yellow, Brown
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Cone (winged seeds)
Fruit Colour:
Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy
Bark Morphology:
Plated, Smooth, Lightly fissured
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey
Organ Modifications:
Ectomycorrhizae
Propagation:
Seed, Greenwood cuttings
Pest Susceptibility:
Blight or needle cast (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
Location(s):
- (AGB) Acer Griseum Bed : dwarf cv. Sapphire Nymph
- (CGW) Community Garden West : cv. Glauca Pendula