Standard English Name(s): amabilis or Pacific silver fir (A. amabilis), grand fir (Abies grandis), and alpine or subalpine fir (A. lasiocarpa)
Local English Name(s) (if different from above): balsam, balsam fir; white fir (grand fir)
Scientific Name(s): Abies amabilis (Dougl. ex Loud.) Forbes (amabilis or Pacific silver fir), A. grandis (Dougl. ex D. Don in Lamb.) Lindl. (grand fir), and A. lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. (subalpine or alpine fir)
Upriver Halkomelem Name(s):
Downriver Halkomelem Name(s): t’a’xwulhp (tree)
Island Halkomelem Name(s): t’a’xw ("balsam" - bark and/or pitch), t’a’xwulhp (tree)

Description, Habitat, Ecology, & Distribution:
     Amabilis fir, grand fir (pictured), and subalpine fir are tall, flat-needled, cone-bearing trees. Amabilis fir grows most commonly in moist forest sites, on deep, well-drained soils along most of the coastal region of the province. Grand fir grows in middle- to upper-elevation coniferous forests along a more restricted portion of the southern coast. It is often associated with amabilis fir. Subalpine firs occur at higher elevations within the Island Halkomelem and Upriver Halkomelem territories. Most or all of the ethnobotanical data provided here may refer to grand fir rather than amabilis fir.

Upriver Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
Downriver Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
     The boughs of grand fir were used to treat boils.

Island Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
      Fir trees (probably both species listed), known locally as "balsam," have pitchy bark that may be used for medicinal purposes.