Libocedrus bidwillii

Libocedrus bidwillii
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Cupressaceae
Genus:	Libocedrus
Species:	L. bidwillii
Binomial name
Libocedrus bidwillii Hook.f.

Libocedrus bidwillii variously called Pāhautea, Kaikawaka or New Zealand cedar'^[1] is a species of Libocedrus, endemic to New Zealand on both the North and South Islands; on the North Island, it occurs from Te Aroha southward. It grows at 250–1,200 m altitude in temperate rainforests.^[2][3]

It is an evergreen coniferous tree growing to 25 m tall, with a trunk up to 1.5 m diameter. The foliage is arranged in flattened sprays; the leaves are scale-like, 1.5–2 mm long and 1 mm broad, arranged in opposite decussate pairs on the shoots. The seed cones are cylindrical, 8–12 mm long, with four scales each with a prominent curved spine-like bract; they are arranged in two opposite decussate pairs around a small central columella; the outer pair of scales is small and sterile, the inner pair large, bearing two winged seeds. They are mature about six to eight months after pollination. The pollen cones are 2.5–5 mm long.^[2]

See also

• Libocedrus austrocaledonica
• Libocedrus chevalieri
• Libocedrus plumosa
• Libocedrus yateensis

References

1. ^ Wildlife Feature on Orokonui Ecosanctuary website, retrieved 2009-06-10
2. ^ ^{a b} Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4
3. ^ Conifer Specialist Group 2000: Libocedrus bidwillii

Gallery

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  Libocedrus bidwillii on the skyline at Leith Saddle near Dunedin, New Zealand