mm; connate leaves linear, 8-12 × 2.5-3 mm, with 2 white stomatal bands along middle furrow abaxially. Pollen cones ovoid, ca. 1.2 cm, shortly stipitate. Seed cones narrowly ovoid, 8-12 × ca. 2.5 cm; cone scales broadly cuneate or fan-shaped, margin thin, reflexed, apex broadly rounded; bracts with triangular, recurved, free apex. Seeds oblong or elliptic, flat, 8-12 × ca. 8 mm.
Sciadopitys verticillata, the kōyamaki or Japanese umbrella-pine, is a unique conifer endemic to Japan. It is the sole living member of the family Sciadopityaceae and genus Sciadopitys, a living fossil with no close relatives. The oldest fossils of Sciadopitys are from the Late Cretaceous of Japan, and the genus was widespread in Laurasia during most of the Cenozoic, especially in Europe until the Pliocene.[2]
Molecular evidence indicates that Sciadopityaceae is the sister group to a clade comprising Taxaceae and Cupressaceae, and has an extremely ancient divergence, having diverged from the rest of the conifers during the early mid-Permian; this would also make it a survivor of the Permian–Triassic extinction event.[3]
There is inconsistent evidence regarding the plant family which produced Baltic amber. Both macrofossil and microfossil evidence suggest a Pinus relative, whereas chemical and infrared microspectroscopy evidence suggest relatives of either Agathis or Sciadopitys.[4][5]
The genus name Sciadopitys comes from Greek sciádos (σκιάδος) meaning 'umbrella' and pitys (πίτυς) meaning 'pine'.[6] The species name verticillata is a descriptive epithet meaning 'whorled'.
It is an evergreen tree that can grow 15–27 m tall, with brown main shoots bearing whorls of 7–12 cm long flexible green cladodes that look like, and perform the function of, leaves, but are actually composed of stem tissues. The cones are 6–11 cm long, mature in about 18 months, with flattish scales that open to release the seeds.
The plant was first introduced to the UK by John Gould Veitch in September 1860.[7] Considered attractive, this tree is popular in gardens, despite its slow growth rate. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8][9]
A stylized representation of the tree (known in Japanese as kōyamaki) was chosen as the Japanese Imperial crest for the Akishino branch of the Imperial Family.
Sciadopitys carpellate cones and dried needles
Staminate cones and needles
.jpg)
Needles
Full tree in Mount Futatsumori, Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Sciadopitys verticillata, the kōyamaki or Japanese umbrella-pine, is a unique conifer endemic to Japan. It is the sole living member of the family Sciadopityaceae and genus Sciadopitys, a living fossil with no close relatives. The oldest fossils of Sciadopitys are from the Late Cretaceous of Japan, and the genus was widespread in Laurasia during most of the Cenozoic, especially in Europe until the Pliocene.
