Sciadopitys - Definition and 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. It is an evergreen tree that can grow 15-27m tall, with brown main shoots bearing whorls of 7-12cm long green cladodes which 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 6-11cm long, mature in about 18 months, and have flattish scales which open to release the seeds.

It is a very attractive tree and is popular in gardens, despite its slow growth rate and high cost.

External links

• Arboretum de Villardebelle Photos: foliage, immature cones (http://www.pinetum.org/sp/SCverticillata.htm)
• Arboretum de Villardebelle Photo: mature cone (http://www.pinetum.org/cones/SCcones.htm)
• Gymnosperm Database (http://www.botanik.uni-bonn.de/conifers/sc/sc/index.htm)