Metasequoia glyptostroboides

The sequoia of China ( Metasequoia glyptostroboides ) is a large tree of the family of the Taxodiaceae , or Cupressaceae according to phylogenetic classification. It is originating in China where it was discovered in 1943. It is the single alive species of the kind Metasequoia whose origin goes back to the Pliocène and for this reason is regarded as a “alive Fossile”.

Description

The métaséquoïa of China is large a Arbre, with very fast growth, which can reach 50 to 60 meters in height with a trunk two meters in diameter, with the right trunk and the conical port, or column-like under certain conditions.

Its foliage is made of opposed, linear, flexible, long sheets from 2 to approximately 4 cm. It is null and void, characteristic rather rare at conifers which it divides with the Mélèze S and the Cyprès bald person. These sheets green shining take a beautiful red color coppered with the autumn before falling.

The cones globulous have 2 to 3 cm in diameter with 16 to 30 scales laid out in pairs opposed on four rows, each pair being with right angle compared to the adjacent pair.

Surface of distribution

The last spontaneous specimens of this species are in China in the areas of Hubei (Lichuan) mainly, but also in the Hunan and the Sichuan. This tree is registered on the red list of the IUCN of the wild species in the process of disappearance.

History

The métaséquoïa was initially described like a Fossile of the Mesozoic era by Miki, but in 1941 a small station of a tree of unknown species was discovered in China.

In 1943, Wang found in central China, in the -Tchouan, close to a temple, a tree of which it sent samples to Beijing.

Because of the events of the Second world war, this tree was not studied until 1944 and it is not in 1948 qu ' it was finally described like an alive new species of Métaséquoïa. The description of Miki became null and void then. This same year, the arboretum Arnold of the Université Harvard organized a forwarding to collect seeds and thereafter seedlings resulting from sowings were distributed to different arboretums and universities in the world to make experimental plantations.

Since, many botanical gardens cultivate this species which one believed disappeared since approximately 100 million years. Its seeds germinate easily. It has a fast development. In autumn, its needles take a color brown-clearly and end up falling with the small branches which supports them.

Use

Tree ornamental

It is a rustic species under moderate climate which is acclimatized easily in culture in the gardens. It from now on is largely planted in the parks of the whole world.

Many a Cultivar S was selected and is proposed in culture since the beginning of the years 1980. The first, with narrow pyramidal port, was created in 1958 by the national Arborétum of the United States ( US National Arboretum ) was baptized “National” Metasequoia glyptostroboides .

External bonds

Metasequoia

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

'' Metasequoia ''
French Site on the '' Metasequoia ''

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