Japanese table-pine
Sciadopitys verticillata (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc.
Sciadopitys verticillata, known as Japanese table-pine, is a conifer native to Japan and the only living species in the Sciadopityaceae family. It is a relict species with no close living relatives, and its fossils date back to the Late Cretaceous. Once widespread in Laurasia during the Cenozoic, it is now found in cultivation in several countries, including Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Japan. Some research suggests a European relative may have contributed to the formation of Baltic amber.
Description
Sciadopitys verticillata is a unique conifer belonging to the genus Sciadopitys and the family Sciadopityaceae. Endemic to Japan, it is often referred to as a 'living fossil' due to its ancient lineage, with fossil records from the Late Cretaceous. The genus was more widespread in the past, particularly in Europe, and persisted until the Pliocene. It is now cultivated in various regions, including parts of Europe and North America. The species is distinguished by its whorled foliage and is sometimes called Japanese umbrella-pine or kōyamaki in Japanese. Its historical distribution and possible role in the production of Baltic amber make it of interest to paleobotanists and conifer specialists.
Other common names
Japanese Umbrella Pineumbrella-pineJapanese table-pineJapanese umbrella-pineKoyamaki
Distribution
Belgium · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · SE · Global · NO · Japan
Synonyms
Taxus verticillataPinus verticillataPodocarpus verticillatusSciadopitys verticillata var. pendulaSciadopitys verticillata var. variegata