Sciadopitys, Japanese umbrella-pine

Sciadopitys (lat. Sciadopitys) — a monotypic genus of the family Sciadopityaceae (Sciadopityaceae). The only species — Sciadopitys verticillata (Sciadopitys verticillata). The plant is notable for the uniqueness of its foliage.

This genus was previously placed in the families Cupressaceae and Taxodiaceae, but modern genetic studies have shown that there is no close relationship between Sciadopitys and these groups.

Natural range — only in Japan (southwest of Honshu, the island of Shikoku, eastern Kyushu); here it has been preserved in moist mountain forests at an altitude of 500 to 1000 meters above sea level: in remote ravines, on slopes sheltered from the wind; it can also be found in sacred groves around temples.

An evergreen monoecious tree with a pyramidal crown; in Japan it reaches about forty meters in height, the trunk up to four meters in circumference. It grows very slowly.

The plant is remarkable for its foliage, unique among members of the division Pinophyta (Pinophyta): flattened needles up to 15 cm long form false whorls and spread sideways like the spokes of an umbrella; hence the common name of this tree in many languages — «umbrella pine». In fact, these needles are not true leaves but are shortened shoots, consisting of a very short reduced stem and two fused leaves.

The fruits are small oval cones, ripening in two years. The seeds are winged.

Location: prefers well-lit sites sheltered from cold winds with high air humidity. Does not tolerate waterlogging or soil compaction. The site should be sandy and well-drained. Grows best on fresh, lime-poor, nutrient-rich soils. Tolerates frosts down to -25^°C, endures short-term drops to -34^°C.

Care: needs staking and protection from snow accumulation, which can damage a young plant. Soil is mulched with bark for the winter.

Propagation: by seeds.

Zone: 7a