Sequoia
The sequoias are coniferous pertaining to the former family of the Taxodiacées (included today in the Cupressacées). This name indicates two species belonging to two different kinds, the always green sequoia or Séquoia with sheets of yew: Sequoia sempervirens (Lamb. ex D. Don) Endl. as well as the Giant sequoia ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ), described in addition.
Its name comes from the Indian chief Sequoyah (v. 1770 - 1843), inventor of the alphabet Cherokee. This dedication was made by the Austrian botanist Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher. Originating in California, it reaches up to 100 m of height (in 1998, a specimen of 112 m was observed), 25 m of circumference at the base and can live several thousands of years (a Californian specimen is credited with 3 800 years of age!). These qualities make this tree, venerated by the Amerindians, the giant of the vegetable kingdom.
The sequoias also played a great part in the fossil flora (period of the Crétacé and the Miocène). Since, they do not exist any more but in the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. It as should be known as the forests of sequoias are less and less current because the cones of the sequoia open only at the time of hot seasons caused by a fire, and, consequence of the setting in safety of the pieces against the fires (pruning, weeding of the feet,…), the regeneration of the individuals is more difficult.
See too
- Giant sequoia
- Sequoia sempervirens
External bonds
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