Pine family, Pinaceae
Origin: endemic to central and southern mainland Greece
Habitat in the original area: mountain forests up to 2,000 m above sea level, forming the upper forest boundary
Habitus: The tree grows to the height of 30 metres (at the upper forest boundary it is less tall). The crown is pyramidal, dense, mostly branched to the ground.
Leaf: Needles are 2 centimetres long, stiff, prickly pointed, dark green, with two white stripes on the underside.
Bloom, fruit: The cones grow upwards, can be up to 20 centimetres long and they have supporting scales protruding from them. They ripen in late summer and do not fall off whole, but gradually disintegrate while still on the tree.
Interesting facts: The Greek Fir forests in the altitude of 800–1,600 metres above sea level on the island of Kefalonia has been protected in the Ainos National Park since 1962.
