Umbrella-pine
Sciadopitys verticillata
Japanese umbrella pine family (Sciadopityaceae)
Near threatened
Sacred tree of whorls
The umbrella pine is a striking, evergreen conifer that is endemic to southern Japan. It is also known as Koyamaki (Japanese for ‘umbrella’) and can grow to 30 meters in height. Within the conifers, it sits in a separate family with no close relatives. The needles are fused in pairs laterally and borne in whorls.
In Japan the umbrella pine is a very popular tree. The wood is resistant to rot and is used in boat construction. It is one of the five sacred trees of Kiso: only the wood of these five trees could be used in the construction of the Shinto temples. Only influential families were allowed to fell these sacred trees and any offenders severely punished.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Blijdenstein Pinetum, Kerkrade Botanic Garden, Schovenhorst Estate and Von Gimborn Arboretum.
Part of the Dutch National Conifer Collection.
Fragrant; contains resin.
Wood is used as timber.
Living fossil, with no close relatives. Fossils of this plant have been found from the Upper Triassic, a time before other ancient conifer species, such as the Araucariaceae, were widely spread. Other members of the genus disappeared in the Cretaceous. Most botanic gardens have an example but elsewhere it is rare.
As with Ginkgo biloba, this tree is considered to be holy in Japan. It is one of the Five Trees of Kiso.
Details
| Description: | Conifer, tall tree up to 20 m. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Japan |
| Habitat: | Temperate conifer forests in mountains between 200 and 1700 m above sea level. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic evergreen) |
| Hardiness: | 5 - 14 f (hardy - cold winter) |
| Flowering period: | Mei - juni |
| Flower color: | Not applicable |
| Fruiting period: | Mei - november |
| Fruit color: | Green, brown |
| Notes on fruits: | Green to light brown cones |
Sources
A. Aptroot. 2016. De Kransspar: een van onze Japanse bomen. Blijdenstein Nieuws 36: 14-15.,http://www.conifers.org/sc/Sciadopityaceae.php,
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a167,
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/16830/i-Sciadopitys-verticillata-i/Details,
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/34111/0,
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Sciadopitys+verticillata