Difference between revisions of "Taiwania cryptomerioides"
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'''Taiwania''' (''Taiwania cryptomerioides'') is a large [[Pinophyta|coniferous]] [[tree]] in the cypress family [[Cupressaceae]], formerly listed in the [[segregate (taxonomy)|segregate]] family Taxodiaceae. It is native to eastern [[Asia]], growing in the [[mountain]]s of central [[Taiwan]], and locally in southwest [[China]] and adjoining [[Myanmar]] and northern [[Vietnam]]. It is [[endangered species|endangered]] by [[illegal logging]] for its valuable [[wood]] in many areas. It is very likely that the range was more extensive in the past before extensive felling for the wood. | '''Taiwania''' (''Taiwania cryptomerioides'') is a large [[Pinophyta|coniferous]] [[tree]] in the cypress family [[Cupressaceae]], formerly listed in the [[segregate (taxonomy)|segregate]] family Taxodiaceae. It is native to eastern [[Asia]], growing in the [[mountain]]s of central [[Taiwan]], and locally in southwest [[China]] and adjoining [[Myanmar]] and northern [[Vietnam]]. It is [[endangered species|endangered]] by [[illegal logging]] for its valuable [[wood]] in many areas. It is very likely that the range was more extensive in the past before extensive felling for the wood. | ||
| − | It is one of the largest tree species in Asia, reported to heights of 80 m tall and with a trunk up to 4 m diameter above buttressed base<ref name=farjon>Farjon, A. (2005). ''Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys''. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4</ref>. The [[leaf|leaves]] are needle-like or awl-like and 8- | + | It is one of the largest tree species in Asia, reported to heights of 80 m tall and with a trunk up to 4 m diameter above buttressed base<ref name=farjon>Farjon, A. (2005). ''Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys''. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4</ref>. The [[leaf|leaves]] are needle-like or awl-like and 8-15 mm long on young trees up to about 100 years old, then gradually becoming more scale-like, 3-7 mm long, on mature trees. The [[conifer cone|cones]] are small, 15-25 mm long, with about 15-30 thin, fragile scales, each scale with two [[seed]]s. |
The populations in mainland Asia are treated as a distinct species ''Taiwania flousiana'' by some botanists, but the claimed differences between these and the Taiwanese population are not consistent when a number of specimens from each area are compared. | The populations in mainland Asia are treated as a distinct species ''Taiwania flousiana'' by some botanists, but the claimed differences between these and the Taiwanese population are not consistent when a number of specimens from each area are compared. | ||
Latest revision as of 12:25, 18 April 2010
| Habit | tree
| |
|---|---|---|
| Height: | ⇕ | 180 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 180. |
| Width: | ⇔ | 35 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 35. |
| Lifespan: | ⌛ | perennial |
| Exposure: | ☼ | sun |
|---|---|---|
| Features: | ✓ | foliage |
| USDA Zones: | 8 to 11 |
|
Taiwania > |
Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) is a large coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae, formerly listed in the segregate family Taxodiaceae. It is native to eastern Asia, growing in the mountains of central Taiwan, and locally in southwest China and adjoining Myanmar and northern Vietnam. It is endangered by illegal logging for its valuable wood in many areas. It is very likely that the range was more extensive in the past before extensive felling for the wood.
It is one of the largest tree species in Asia, reported to heights of 80 m tall and with a trunk up to 4 m diameter above buttressed base[1]. The leaves are needle-like or awl-like and 8-15 mm long on young trees up to about 100 years old, then gradually becoming more scale-like, 3-7 mm long, on mature trees. The cones are small, 15-25 mm long, with about 15-30 thin, fragile scales, each scale with two seeds.
The populations in mainland Asia are treated as a distinct species Taiwania flousiana by some botanists, but the claimed differences between these and the Taiwanese population are not consistent when a number of specimens from each area are compared.
The genus is named after the island of Taiwan, from where it first became known to the botanical community in 1910.
The wood is soft, but durable and attractively spicy scented, and was in very high demand in the past, particularly for temple building and coffins. The rarity of the tree and its slow growth in plantations means legal supplies are now very scarce; the species has legal protection in China.
Cultivation
Propagation
Pests and diseases
Varieties
Gallery
photo 1
photo 2
References
- ↑ Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4
External links
- w:Taiwania cryptomerioides. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
- Taiwania cryptomerioides QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)
