Cupressaceae FAMILY Critically Endangered

Glyptostrobus pensilis

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Glyptostrobus pensilis is a semi-evergreen tree with a pyramidal to more rounded crown; it usually grows up to 10 metres tall, occasionally reaching 25 metres, with one planted tree recorded at 39 metres. The trunk can be 120 - 150cm in diameter and is markedly buttressed at the base, especially when growing in wet soils and standing water[ 2124 Title A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition) Publication Author Farjon A. Publisher Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands Year 2017 ISBN 978 90 04 32449 7 Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. It is widely cultivated, especially in China as an ornamental tree, often being felled when large enough for its timber and then being replanted[ 2124 Title A Handbook of the World's Conifers Vol. 1 (Second revised edition) Publication Author Farjon A. Publisher Brill; Leiden, The Netherlands Year 2017 ISBN 978 90 04 32449 7 Description ]. This species is widely cultivated in southern China and planted along rivers and canals as well as in parks; except for the latter localities mostly to harvest the timber followed by replanting[ 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. ]. Glyptostrobus pensilis was formerly very widespread in China, Viet Nam and possibly Lao PDR. In China and Viet Nam most of the natural plants have been killed due to expanding agriculture. It appears that there are no plants remaining in the wild in China and that the only remaining natural subpopulations are in Viet Nam and Lao PDR. Although the total number of trees is more than 250, very few, if any are producing viable seed and the majority of trees in Viet Nam are in decline. 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. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeE. Asia - southeast China (Fujian, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi), Vietnam, ?Laos

HabitatHeliophilous, it is intolerant of competition and usually grows in pure stands or solitary along streams. Mainly found on river floodplains and in deltas, always near or in water, where it develops a buttressed base and occasionally pneumatophores[ 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. ].