Sciadopitys verticillata

Botanical Description

Sciadopitys verticillata is an evergreen tree with a dense, heavy-branching crown; it can grow 20 - 30 metres tall, exceptionally reaching 35 metres. The bole can be up to 100cm in diameter. The red-brown bark is thick and stringy[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. In cultivation, especially in an open position, it often grows as a multi-stemmed large shrub[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood and bark. It is also harvested commercially for its wood. It is often grown as an ornamental, especially in Japan. Being a component species in mixed conifer-angiosperm forests where Chamaecyparis obtusa is commonly the dominant species, past logging and subsequent conversion to managed or planted forest, or other land uses, has restricted the occurrence of Sciadopitys in many regions. Most of the remaining stands in Honshu are now only small remnant populations and larger stands in more or less undisturbed forest are confined to Shikoku and Kyushu. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' 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. ].