Sciadopitys

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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Sciadopitys | status = Conservation status: Vulnerable | image = Sciadopitys verticillata.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Sciadopitys verticillata | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Pinophyta | classis = Pinopsida | ordo = Pinales | familia = Sciadopityaceae | familia_authority = Luerss. | genus = Sciadopitys | genus_authority = Siebold & Zucc. | species = S. verticillata | binomial = Sciadopitys verticillata | binomial_authority = (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc. }}

The Koyamaki (Sciadopitys verticillata) or Japanese Umbrella-pine, is a unique conifer endemic to Japan. It is the sole member of the family Sciadopityaceae and genus Sciadopitys, a living fossil with no close relatives, and known in the fossil record for about 230 million years.

Image:Sciadopitys verticillata1.jpg It is an evergreen tree that can grow 15-27m tall, with brown main shoots bearing whorls of 7-12cm long flexible green cladodes which look like, and perform the function of, leaves but are actually composed of stem tissues; occasionally, a cladode will be forked and produce a bud in the 'v' of the fork. The cones are 6-11cm long, mature in about 18 months, and have flattish scales which open to release the seeds.

It is a very attractive tree and is popular in gardens, despite its slow growth rate and high cost.

External links

Links to other Pinophyta families

Pinaceae | Araucariaceae | Podocarpaceae | Sciadopityaceae | Cupressaceae | Cephalotaxaceae | Taxaceae
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