Abies balsamea var. macrocarpa / Balsam fir

Abies balsamea var. macrocarpa has needles and cones longer than the species — macrocarpa is from Greek macro (large) and karpos (fruit) — it is thought to be in a transition phase to Abies lasiocarpa.

Reported superior as an ornamental in the northeastern United States, at least into the 1920's this variety was grown from seeds rather than as a clone. In recent decades var. macrocarpa has been considered a phase within the species normal variation, not deserving nominal status. The cones are often 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) long.

Discovered in 1866 near Omro, WI, by nurseryman John Wilcox and introduced to cultivation ca. 1884.