Picea A. Dietr. (Pinaceae) genus at Peter the Great Botanical Garden

There are 24 species and 9 forms of Picea A. Dietr., represented by 137 trees, in the collection of Peter the Great Botanical Garden of the Komarov Botanical Institute RAS (Saint-Petersburg), aged from 10 to 110 years old. 16 species produce cones and 4 species self-seed. The pride of the collection are East Asian species P. asperata, P. gemmata, P. glehnii, P. likiangensis, P. montigena, P. purpurea and P. chihuahuana. Some of the species (P. obovata, P. schrenkiana и P. jezoensis) were introduced here for the first time. There are species of interest both for primary introduction (P. alcoquiana, P. brachytila, P. torano), as well as for repeated introduction (P. aurantiaca, P. linzhiensis, P. retroflexa, P. wilsonii). An original key for identification and brief morphological descriptions of species with the emphasis on the characters of vegetative organs was developed. The sizes of trees, origin of specimen, winter hardiness and reproductive status are indicated. Continuous monitoring on winter hardiness as well as steadiness to pests and diseases is necessary in conditions of the global warming. Investigation of reproductive abilities, quality of seeds and of seed reproduction is of importance. Introducing the examined species of spruce into city planting and forest economy is important.