The First Record of the Fraser Fir

Scientific knowledge of the Fraser fir or she-balsam, Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. in Lam., is usually dated from the original description by Frederick Pursh in 1814 (Flora Amer. Sept. 2:639-640). It appears probable, however, that another name and a partial description were applied 26 years earlier to this endemic tree of the higher Appalachians.