Widdringtonia schwarzii
| Widdringtonia schwarzii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Pinales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Genus: | Widdringtonia |
| Species: | W. schwarzii |
| Binomial name | |
| Widdringtonia schwarzii (Marloth) Mast. | |
Widdringtonia schwarzii (Willowmore cypress or Willowmore cedar, Afrikaans: Baviaanskloof-seder)[1] is a species of Widdringtonia native to South Africa, where it is endemic to the Baviaanskloof and Kouga Mountains west of Port Elizabeth in Eastern Cape Province; it occurs on dry rocky slopes and crags at 600-1,200 m altitude. It is threatened by habitat loss, particularly by wildfire.[2][3] The Willowmore Cedar is a protected tree in South Africa.[1]
It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 20-25 m (formerly known to 40 m) tall. The leaves are scale-like, 1.5 mm long and 1 mm broad on small shoots, up to 10 mm long on strong-growing shoots, and arranged in opposite decussate pairs. The cones are globose to rectangular, 2-3 cm long, with four scales. It is closely related to Widdringtonia cedarbergensis from Western Cape Province, being most easily distinguished by its larger seeds with a short seedwing.[2]
It was formerly often called "Willowmore cedar" but has been renamed Willowmore cypress to better reflect its botanical relationships.[4]
References
- 1 2 "Protected Trees" (PDF). Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Republic of South Africa. 3 May 2013.
- 1 2 Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4
- ↑ Hilton-Taylor, C. et al. 1998. Widdringtonia schwarzii. Downloaded on 10 July 2007.
- ↑ University of the Witwatersrand: Recommended English names for trees of Southern Africa
- "Widdringtonia schwarzii". Plantz Afrika. Retrieved 2010-03-04.