Taxodiaceae

The Taxodiaceae was at one time regarded as a distinct plant family comprising the following ten genera of coniferous trees:

*"Athrotaxis"
*"Cryptomeria"
*"Cunninghamia"
*"Glyptostrobus"
*"Metasequoia"
*"Sciadopitys"
*"Sequoia"
*"Sequoiadendron"
*"Taiwania"
*"Taxodium"

However, recent research has shown that the Taxodiaceae, with the single exception of "Sciadopitys", should be merged into the family Cupressaceae. There are no consistent characters by which they can be separated, and genetic evidence demonstrates close relationships; this merging is now becoming widely accepted.

The one exception, the genus "Sciadopitys", is genetically very distinct from all other conifers, and now treated in a family of its own, Sciadopityaceae.

Evolution

In earth's history Taxodiaceae were widespread. They are known since the Jurassic and can be found as fossil e.g. in layers from Tertiary times.

References and External links

* [http://www.conifers.org/cu/index.htm Gymnosperm Database - Cupressaceae]
* [http://www.conifers.org/sc/index.htm Gymnosperm Database - Sciadopityaceae]