Overview
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.
Its genus name comes from the Greek prefix sciado- meaning "shadow" and pitys, meaning "pine"; the specific epithet means "with whorls".
It is an evergreen tree that can grow 15-27m tall, with brown main shoots bearing whorls of 7?12 cm long flexible green that 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?11 cm long, mature in about 18 months, and have flattish scales that open to release the seeds.
It is a very attractive tree and is popular in gardens, despite its slow growth rate and high cost.
Koyamaki was chosen as the Japanese Imperial crest for Prince Hisahito of Akishino, currently third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The plant was first introduced to Europe by John Gould Veitch in September 1860.1]
Infrared microspectroscopy has identified conifers of the family Sciadopityaceae as the principal source of Baltic amber rather than as previously thought members of the families Araucariaceae and Pinaceae.[2]
meaning "shadow" and pitys, meaning "pine"; the specific epithet means "with whorls".It is an evergreen tree that can grow 15-27m tall, with brown main shoots bearing whorls of 7?12 cm long flexible green that 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?11 cm long, mature in about 18 months, and have flattish scales that open to release the seeds.
It is a very attractive tree and is popular in gardens, despite its slow growth rate and high cost.
Koyamaki was chosen as the Japanese Imperial crest for Prince Hisahito of Akishino, currently third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The plant was first introduced to Europe by John Gould Veitch in September 1860.1]
Infrared microspectroscopy has identified conifers of the family Sciadopityaceae as the principal source of Baltic amber rather than as previously thought members of the families Araucariaceae and Pinaceae.[2]
References
- ^ James Herbert Veitch (2006 reprint). Hortus Veitchii. Caradoc Doy. pp. 51?52. ISBN 0-9553515-0-2.
- ^ Wolfe AP, Tappert R, Muehlenbachs K, Boudreau M, McKellar RC, Basinger JF, Garrett A. (2009). A new proposal concerning the botani cal origin of Baltic amber. Proc Biol Sci. 276(1672):3403-12. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0806 PMID 19570786
External links
- Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Sciadopitys verticillata. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
- Arboretum de Villardebelle Photos: foliage, immature cones
- Arboretum de Villardebelle Photo: mature cone
- Gymnosperm Database
- Photos of plant habit
- Images: Cone,Leaf,Seeds Flavon's Wild herb and Alpine plants
Taxonomy
The Family Sciadopityaceae is further organized into finer groupings including:
- Genus (1): Sciadopitys
- Species: ZipcodeZoo has pages for 36 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in the Family Sciadopityaceae.
Genera
Sciadopitys
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. [more]
At least 36 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Sciadopitys.
More info about the Genus Sciadopitys may be found here.
References
- ^ James Herbert Veitch (2006 reprint). Hortus Veitchii. Caradoc Doy. pp. 51?52. ISBN 0-9553515-0-2.
- ^ Wolfe AP, Tappert R, Muehlenbachs K, Boudreau M, McKellar RC, Basinger JF, Garrett A. (2009). A new proposal concerning the botanical origin of Baltic amber. Proc Biol Sci. 276(1672):3403-12. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0806 PMID 19570786
Sources
- The text on this page is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It includes material from Wikipedia retrieved Wednesday, April 25, 2012.
- The distribution map on the Distribution tab comes from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and is used with permission.
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