Cephalotaxus wilsoniana

Cephalotaxus wilsoniana is a plant belonging to the family of the head Yews ( Cephalotaxaceae ). It is native to the island of Taiwan.

Description

Cephalotaxus wilsoniana grows as a evergreen tree that can reach heights of growth of up to 9 meters. The scaly Stammborke is pale reddish brown. The branches are drooping.

Slightly sickle-shaped needles are linearly shaped with a length 3-4 centimeters and a width from 2.5 to 3 millimeters. The base of the needles is narrow, while the tip is pointed. The needle top is dark green and at the needle base one finds two grayish white Stomatareihen.

The cones are surrounded by a seed coat ( aril ) and ripen in September. The dark purple, ovate to ovate - wrong seeds are approximately 2.5 inches long.

Distribution and location

The natural range of Cephalotaxus wilsoniana comprises the northern and central part of the island of Taiwan.

Cephalotaxus wilsoniana thrives at altitudes 1400-3000 meters. The species grows in mixed and coniferous forests in the mountains, where it is found mainly in valleys.

Cephalotaxus wilsoniana is classified as " critically endangered " in the IUCN Red List. The main risk the destruction of forests is called for the utilization for tree plantations. The total number of species is declining.

System

The first description was in 1914 as Cephalotaxus wilsoniana by Hayata Bunzo Icones plantarum in formosanarum nec non et contributiones ad Floram formosanam, Volume 4, page 22 The species is by some authors as a subspecies or variety of Japanese Kopfeibe ( Cephalotaxus harringtonia ) or the Chinese Kopfeibe ( Cephalotaxus sinensis ) is considered. Cephalotaxus wilsoniana is questioned by some authors as a result of, in 2008, carried out molecular investigation with Cephalotaxus koreana in a clade and treated along with this kind as a variety or subspecies of Cephalotaxus harringtonia.

Swell

• Christopher J. Earle: Cephalotaxus wilsoniana. In: The Gymnosperm Database. www.conifers.org, November 23, 2012, accessed on 24 December 2013 ( English).
• Liguo Fu, Nan Li, Thomas S. Elias & Robert R. Mill: Pinaceae. Picea. In: Wu Zhengyi, Peter H. Raven & Hong Deyuan (eds.): Flora of China. Cycadaceae through Fagaceae. Volume 4, Science Press and Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing and St. Louis in 1999, ISBN 0-915279-70-3, Cephalotaxus sinensis var wilsoniana, p.86 ( this printed work is the same text online, Cephalotaxus sinensis var wilsoniana - online).