Chamaecyparis formosensis

Scientific name: Chamaecyparis formosensis    Matsumura   1901

Synonyms: Cupressus formosensis (Matsum.) A.Henry, Cupressus formosensis (Matsum.) Silba, Retinispora formosensis (Matsum.) A.V.Bobrov & Melikyan       

Common names: Formosan false cypress, Formosan cypress, Taiwan cypress, Taiwan red cypress, Hong Kuai (Chinese)

Description

Tree to 50(-65) m tall, with trunk to 5(-7) m in diameter. Bark reddish brown. Crown deeply dome-shaped. Branchlet sprays stiff or slightly drooping, with waxy white stomatal patches beneath. Scale leaves 1.5-3 mm long, without glands. Leaf tips short-pointed, triangular, those of facial leaves not touching the base of the next pair. Pollen cones 2-3 mm long, with six to eight pairs of pollen scales, each scale usually with three yellow pollen sacs. Seed cones oblong, 10-12 mm long, 8-9 mm across, with five to seven pairs of seed scales. Seeds (one or) two or three (to six) per scale, 2-3 mm long and wide, including the wings.

Northern and central Taiwan. Forming pure groves or in mixed stands with Chamaecyparis obtuse and other conifers in mountains; 850-2,600 m. The climate is cool and wet, with abundant rainfall throughout the year and occasional snowfall in winter.

Conservation Status

Red List Category & Criteria: Endangered

An estimated population reduction over the last three generations of between 50% and 70%, with the cause of reduction (logging) not having totally ceased and not currently thought to be reversible indicates an assessment of Endangered. This species is found in mixed coniferous forest of the cool temperate coniferous forest belt between 850 m and 2600 m a.s.l., with Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana and Chamaecyparis formosensis as the dominant species, associated with Calocedrus formosana, Cunninghamia konishii, and Taiwania cryptomerioides, in the upper part of the zone also Tsuga chinensis; in the understorey occur Photinia davidiana var. niitakayamensis and the bamboo Yushania niitakayamensis, but often little else. Chamaecyparis formosensis is exceptionally long-lived, estimated in excess of 3000 years, and has a regeneration strategy similar to e.g. Sequoiadendron, although the disturbance factors are not well known. The number of mature trees in natural forest stands has been greatly reduced by felling. The species occurs as scattered individuals in mixed coniferous forest and has been selectively logged for its desirable wood used in traditional oriental building. Growth is slow, especially in mature to over-mature phases of its long life cycle. Logging is thought to be ongoing in some areas. The wood (timber) of this species is highly prized for traditional oriental buildings such as temples and shrines. It is uncommon in cultivation outside Taiwan, where this species is now being replanted in attempts to restore it from excessive logging in the past. As an ornamental it is attractive, but slow growing and similar to Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) from Japan, which is much more common as a tree for the garden. Several very large, senescent individuals remain as 'natural monuments' forming a tourist attraction, but protection of more old growth forests containing this species is urgently needed. The species is being grown in plantations. Some (parts of) sub-populations occur in protected areas.

References

• Farjon, A. (2010). A Handbook of the World's Conifers. Koninklijke Brill, Leiden.
• Eckenwalder, J.E. (2009) Conifers of the World: The Complete Reference. Timber Press, Portland.
• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Cambridge, UK /Gland, Switzerland

Copyright © Aljos Farjon, James E. Eckenwalder, IUCN, Conifers Garden. All rights reserved.