A slow-growing, small upright tree or shrub, having a straight trunk with little taper, a scruffy habit, and a narrow, pointed crown of short, compact, drooping branches with upturned tips. The bark is thin, scaly, and grayish brown. The leaves are needle-like, 8-12 mm (½") long, stiff, four-sided, dark bluish green. The cones are the smallest of any spruce, 2-4 cm long (0.6"-1.25"), spindle-shaped to nearly round, dark purple ripening red-brown, in dense clusters in the upper crown, opening at maturity but persisting for several years.

Antiinflammatory, disinfectant, odontalgic, stomachic, vulnerary

Plants for a Future
Picea mariana

A folk remedy for kidney stones, stomach problems and rheumatism (inner bark); in the treatment of stomach pains, trembling and fits (root and bark); on purulent wounds, bad burns, skin rashes, scabies and persistent scabs (resin mixed with oil); in treating respiratory infections and kidney problems (gum or leaves); as a bath or a rub in treating dry skin or sores (leaves)