Chamaecyparis formosensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Cupressales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Chamaecyparis
Species:
C. formosensis
Binomial name
Chamaecyparis formosensis

Chamaecyparis formosensis (Formosan cypress, Taiwan cypress, Taiwan red cypress;[1] Chinese: 紅檜/红桧 hóngguì, Taiwan pron. hóngkuài) is a species of Chamaecyparis, endemic to Taiwan, where it grows in the central mountains at moderate to high altitudes of 1000–2900 m. It is threatened by habitat loss and over-cutting for its valuable timber.[1][2][3]

Growth

It is a slow-growing, but long-lived and ultimately large to very large coniferous tree growing to 55–60 m tall with a trunk up to 7 m in diameter. The bark is red-brown, vertically fissured and with a stringy texture. The foliage is arranged in flat sprays; adult leaves are scale-like, 1–3 mm long, with pointed tips, green both above and below with only an inconspicuous stomatal band at the base of each scale-leaf; they are arranged in opposite decussate pairs on the shoots. The juvenile leaves, found on young seedlings, are needle-like, 4–8 mm long, soft and glaucous bluish-green. The cones are ovoid-oblong, 6–12 mm long and 4–8 mm diameter, with 8–16 scales arranged in opposite pairs, maturing in autumn about 7–8 months after pollination.[2]

It is most closely related to the Japanese Chamaecyparis pisifera (sawara cypress), which differs in smaller globose cones 4–8 mm long with 6–10 scales.[2]

Characteristics

The wood is soft, very resistant to decay, and strongly scented; it is highly valued in traditional Taiwanese building, particularly for temples and shrines. This has led to excessive harvesting, resulting in the species now being endangered. A small number of the oldest and largest specimens are protected as national monuments, but much of the general population of the species still remains unprotected.[2]

Essential oil distilled from its wood is uniquely scented and highly valued.[4]

Notable examples

Sacred Tree of Alishan

The Sacred Tree of Alishan was a 3,000-year-old Taiwan red cypress which died from a lightning strike in 1956. The trunk remained standing until 1998. Due to its sacred status it was left alone by the Japanese when they deforested the surrounding area.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Zhang, D.; Christian, T. (2013). "Chamaecyparis formosensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T32333A2815341. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T32333A2815341.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. ISBN 1-84246-068-4.
  3. ↑ Flora of China: Chamaecyparis formosensis
  4. ↑ Su, Sharleen. "Distilling Taiwan's Native Scent". www.taiwan-panorama.com. Taiwan Panorama. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. ↑ Cheung, Han (26 June 2022). "Taiwan inTime: Farewell to the divine giant". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
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