Thuja koraiensis

Taxobox
name = "Thuja koraiensis"
status = DD | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Pinophyta
classis = Pinopsida
ordo = Pinales
familia = Cupressaceae
genus = "Thuja"
species = "T. koraiensis"
binomial = "Thuja koraiensis"
binomial_authority = Nakai

"Thuja koraiensis" is a species of "Thuja", native to Korea and the extreme northeast of China (Changbaishan). Its current status is poorly known; the small population in China is protected in the Changbaishan Nature Reserve, as is the small population in Soraksan Nature Reserve in northern South Korea, but most of the species' range in North Korea is unprotected and threatened by habitat loss. [Conifer Specialist Group 1998. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/31245/all "Thuja koraiensis"] . Downloaded on 10 July 2007.] Farjon, A. (2005). "Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4]

It is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 3-10 m tall. The foliage forms flat sprays with scale-like leaves 2-4 mm long (up to 15 mm long on strong-growing shoots), matt dark green above, and with broad, vivid white stomatal wax bands below. The cones are oval, yellow-green ripening red-brown, 7-11 mm long and 4-5 mm broad (opening to 6-9 mm broad), with 8-12 overlapping scales.

It is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree for the contrast between the green upper and bright white lower sides of the foliage, though planting is limited by the low availability of seeds.

References