Calocedrus formosana - Taiwan incense-cedar description

Scientific name: Calocedrus formosana  (Florin) Florin  1956

Synonyms: Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana (Florin) W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu, Heyderia formosana (Florin) H.L.Li, Libocedrus formosana Florin, Libocedrus macrolepis var. formosana (Florin) Kudô

Common names: Taiwan incense-cedar, Taiwan cui bai (Chinese)

Description

Tree to 23 m tall, with trunk to 3 m in diameter, trunk often crooked. Bark purplish brown, long remaining smooth and flaking. Crown narrowly conical, broadening with age. Branchlet sprays dark green above, lighter green beneath with prominent stomatal zones. Scale leaves of branchlets 1.5-2.5 mm long, the free tips very short and rounded, usually without glands. Pollen cones 4-6 mm long, with six to eight pairs of pollen scales. Seed cones 1-1.5 cm long, at the tips of short branchlets to 3 mm long. Seeds 8-12 mm long, including the wing.

Northern and central Taiwan (also known as Formosa, hence the scientific name). Montane conifer forests; 300-1,900 m.

Conservation Status

Red List Category & Criteria: Endangered

Varieties: -

Attribution from: Conifers Garden