Classification
Class
Pinopsida
Order
Pinales Gorozh.
Family
Cupressaceae Gray
Genus
Cryptomeria D.Don
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.) D.Don, Ann. Nat. Hist. 1: 234 (1838)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Cupressus japonica Thunb. ex L.f., Suppl. Pl. 421 (1782)
  • = Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibr.
  • ≡ Cryptomeria japonica var. fortunei (Hooibr.) Henry
Vernacular Name(s):
Japanese cedar; Sugi
 Description

Medium to large tree. Trunk ridged or somewhat buttressed towards base. Bark reddish brown, peeling in long strips. Crown dense. Juvenile lvs 0.8–1.8–(2.2) cm long, subulate, often red in winter. Adult lvs (from coning branches) 5–15 mm long (excluding adnate, decurrent base), subulate with broad base, directed forwards, shining green; apex acute. ♂ strobili densely clustered at apices of small shoots, 2.5–5 mm long. ♀ cones 1–1.7 cm diam. when open. Bract scale apex pungent. Ovuliferous scales with c. 6 spiny processes 2–3 mm long. Seed 4–5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Don, D. 1838: Two New Genera of the Natural Family of Plants Called Coniferæ. Annals of Natural History 1: 233–235.
Edwards, R. 2008: Lincoln University campus – a guide to some of the trees currently growing there. Lincoln University, Lincoln.
Farjon, A 2001: World Checklist and Bibliography of Conifers. Edition 2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond.
Linnaeus, C. von, filius 1782 ("1781"): Supplementum Plantarum Systematis Vegetabilium. Orphanotrophe, Brunswig.