Widdringtonia cedarbergensis

Botanical Description

Widdringtonia cedarbergensis is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall though it is more typically within the range 5 - 7 metres. The reddish-grey bark is thin and fibrous, soon flaking; the trunk becomes massive and gnarled with age, around 90 - 200cm in diameter (trees 300cm in diameter used to be known); the crown is initially conical, later becoming rather broad and open[ 295 Title PlantZAfrica.com Publication Author Website http://www.plantzafrica.com Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants. , 663 Title Flora of Southern Africa Publication Author Roux J.P. Website http://plants.jstor.org/search?st=662545 Publisher Year 2003 ISBN Description An excellent on-line resource. , 1212 Title New Trees Publication Author Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. Publisher Kew Publishing; London Year 2009 ISBN 1842461737 Description Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades. ] The plant was at one time very heavily exploiitted for its valuable wood and medicinal resin, but over-exploitation has led to this tree becoming very rare in the wild[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. It is recommended for cultivation as an ornamental in South Africa, andt is also used as a Christmas tree there[ 1212 Title New Trees Publication Author Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. Publisher Kew Publishing; London Year 2009 ISBN 1842461737 Description Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades. ] Intensive exploitation of Widdringtonia cedarbergensis in the past, accompanied by changes in intensity and frequency of fires, has resulted in an estimated and observed decline in area of occupancy and quality of habitat of more than 80%. The causes of this decline, while understood, are not reversible and have not ceased. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].