Taxon Report

Abies amabilis (Dougl.) Forbes

Pacific silver fir

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Abies amabilis, commonly known as Pacific silver fir, is a perennial evergreen tree in the Pinaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Upper montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 1700 to 2195 meters. Abies amabilis is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Abies amabilis (Dougl.) Forbes
Common Name:	Pacific silver fir
Family:	Pinaceae
Element Code:	PGPIN01010
USDA Plants Symbol:	ABAM
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial evergreen tree
Blooming Period:
Elevation:	1700-2195 (5580-7200)
General Habitats:	Upper montane coniferous forest
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.3
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	IUCN_LC
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	7
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	2
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	1
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Siskiyou (SIS)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Boulder Peak (4112351), Dutch Creek (4112381), English Peak (4112342)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	2
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	57 %
Other	3	42%
Improper burning regime	2	28%

Notes




Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Abies amabilis account for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2021)

Fremontia 16(3):19-20 (1988) [occurrence information]

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 12 November 2025].