Picea balfouriana Rehder & E. H. Wilson; P. balfouriana f. bicolor S. Chen; P. likiangensis var. balfouriana (Rehder & E. H. Wilson) Slavin; P. purpurea Masters var. balfouriana (Rehder & E. H. Wilson) Silba; P. sikangensis W. C. Cheng.

First-year branchlets stout, with short nodes, densely pubescent. Leaves usually with 3 or 4 stomatal lines along each surface abaxally. Seed cones red-brown or black-purple, maturing brown to reddish or black-brown, 4-9 cm.

This variety produces fine quality timber.

* Mountains; 3000-4100 m. S Qinghai, S Sichuan, E Xizang