Frozen Branch

Description: The shoots are dimorphic, with long shoots, which form the framework of the branches, and short shoots, which carry most of the leaves. The leaves are evergreen and needle-like, 8-60 mm long, arranged in an open spiral phyllotaxis on long shoots, and in dense spiral clusters of 15-45 together on short shoots; they vary from bright grass-green to... ( +expand to view full text )

Description: The shoots are dimorphic, with long shoots, which form the framework of the branches, and short shoots, which carry most of the leaves. The leaves are evergreen and needle-like, 8-60 mm long, arranged in an open spiral phyllotaxis on long shoots, and in dense spiral clusters of 15-45 together on short shoots; they vary from bright grass-green to dark green to strongly glaucous pale blue-green, depending on the thickness of the white wax layer which protects the leaves from desiccation.