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Hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata) is a conifer in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), the sole member of the genus Thujopsis. It is endemic to Japan. Hiba is the Japanese name for this species, which has never acquired a widely used English name; it is occasionally compounded as Hiba Arborvitae, or just called by its genus name, Thujopsis.
It is a medium to large evergreen tree, reaching up to 40 m tall and 1.5 m trunk diameter, with red-brown bark which peels in vertical strips. The leaves are arranged in decussate pairs, scale-like, 3-10 mm long, glossy green above, and marked with vivid white stomatal bands below; they have a distinctive thick, almost fleshy texture. The seed cones are ovoid, 7-15 mm long and 6-10 mm diameter, with 6-12 thick scales, brown with a violet-white wax bloom when fresh. It is similar to the closely related genus Thuja (Arborvitae), differing in the broader, thicker leaves and thick cones.
In northern Japan, it has more densely branched shoots with slightly smaller leaves, and less thickened cone scales; these trees are distinguished as the variety Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai.
Uses
The Hiba is a valued ornamental tree both in its native Japan, where it is commonly planted around temples as well as in gardens, and also in Europe and North America. In the latter two regions, planting is confined to areas with good rainfall, as the species is not drought tolerant.
It is also used to a small extent in forestry in Japan, grown for the valuable wood, which is durable and scented, similar to that of Thuja plicata.
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