Taiwania
Taiwania cryptomerioids
The Taiwania is a large, coniferous tree in the cypress family. It is native to eastern Asia, as it's name suggests. It is endangered and its wood is incredibly valuable.
Taiwania cryptomerioids
The Taiwania is a large, coniferous tree in the cypress family. It is native to eastern Asia, as it's name suggests. It is endangered and its wood is incredibly valuable.
About the Taiwania
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/tacr2.htm http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2007/12/taiwania_cryptomerioides.php http://www3.uni-bonn.de/Pressemitteilungen/335-2010 http://flower.onego.ru/fameli/fameli_g.html |
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In Depth...
Foliage/Crown
-Dimorphic
-Scale-like, flat, rhomboidal acute
-Spirally arranged
-Sharply pointed, triangular needles
-About 2cm long each
-Branches are horizontal and sweep upwards
-Crown is conical
Cones/Seeds
-Oblong cones with scales
-Cones are 8mm long and 5mm broad
-Seeds are oblong with broad wings
Trunk
-Bark is grayish-redbrown to grayish-white
-Thick/fibrous outer bark
-Inner bark is 3-6mm thick
-Inner bark becomes purplish-brown after it is cut
-Wood is soft and has a very aromatic "spicy" scent
-Bark is used to make coffins, giving the tree its common name.
-Endangered due to logging; bark is very valuable
http://www.globaltrees.org/tp_taiwania.htm
http://apps.kew.org/trees/?page_id=169
http://www.conifers.org/cu/Taiwania_cryptomerioides.php
http://www.atreeaday.com/atreeaday/Taiwania_cryptomerioides.html
-Dimorphic
-Scale-like, flat, rhomboidal acute
-Spirally arranged
-Sharply pointed, triangular needles
-About 2cm long each
-Branches are horizontal and sweep upwards
-Crown is conical
Cones/Seeds
-Oblong cones with scales
-Cones are 8mm long and 5mm broad
-Seeds are oblong with broad wings
Trunk
-Bark is grayish-redbrown to grayish-white
-Thick/fibrous outer bark
-Inner bark is 3-6mm thick
-Inner bark becomes purplish-brown after it is cut
-Wood is soft and has a very aromatic "spicy" scent
-Bark is used to make coffins, giving the tree its common name.
-Endangered due to logging; bark is very valuable
http://www.globaltrees.org/tp_taiwania.htm
http://apps.kew.org/trees/?page_id=169
http://www.conifers.org/cu/Taiwania_cryptomerioides.php
http://www.atreeaday.com/atreeaday/Taiwania_cryptomerioides.html
ethnobotany
Taiwania is a large tree in the Cypress family, indiginous to Taiwan. This tree is both soft and durable and also has a spiced scent. In the past it has been in higher demand specifically for building temples and coffins. The Taiwania trees are often known as the "Chinese Coffin Tree". This tree is commonly used for building coffins; for it is known to be extremely useful for building high quality products.
Taiwania cryptomoides is one of the world's tallest trees and is very important to its local communities both economically and culturally. Its slow growth in the plantation has caused it to become even more scarce than it already was, which is why it has legal protection in China and Taiwan. Illegal logging for this trees valuable timber is continuing to threaten this tree. The Global Trees Campaign has been working on Taiwania trees since 2005.
Taiwania cryptomoides is one of the world's tallest trees and is very important to its local communities both economically and culturally. Its slow growth in the plantation has caused it to become even more scarce than it already was, which is why it has legal protection in China and Taiwan. Illegal logging for this trees valuable timber is continuing to threaten this tree. The Global Trees Campaign has been working on Taiwania trees since 2005.
current research
Taiwania is found throughout middle elevation levels in Taiwan. So, it seems that there is no geographical restrictions for Taiwania trees to grow; but due to so much logging, it is very difficult to find a large area containing naturally grown Taiwania trees. Studies of bioactive compounds of Taiwania trees have been going on for the past few years. They have characterized some of the chemicals as antifungal and antitermitic activity. In addition, they have studied the antibacterial and antimite activities of the heartwood extractives, essential oils, and compounds from the plant. They have concluded that there are potential usages of the phytochemicals isolated from Taiwania in pharmacological applications.
The diagnostic features of the leaves of Taiwania trees are convex, subulate and evergreen. Stomata occurs on each leaf and the stomatal bands on the adaxial surface are more strongly developed on the abaxial surface of the leaves. So, foliage shoots of the fossils of Taiwania are similar to extant plants. The epidermal structures of extant plants and Taiwania provide important information on the taxonomy of the fossil specimens.
The diagnostic features of the leaves of Taiwania trees are convex, subulate and evergreen. Stomata occurs on each leaf and the stomatal bands on the adaxial surface are more strongly developed on the abaxial surface of the leaves. So, foliage shoots of the fossils of Taiwania are similar to extant plants. The epidermal structures of extant plants and Taiwania provide important information on the taxonomy of the fossil specimens.
creative essay
I have learned that Taiwania Cryptomerioides are large trees from the Cypress family, origninating from the mountains of Taiwan. They are tall with small cones and needle-like leaves. In a way, these trees remind me of Christmas trees or even small Redwood trees in a way because of their shape and leaf type. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains, my neighborhood is completely covered with Redwood trees as umbrellas. Redwood trees remind me of home. Also, I live really close to plenty of Christmas tree farms, and I can imagine that if there was a large amount of Taiwania trees naturally grown in an open area, it may resemble a Christmas Tree farm. Because this tree has similarities to these trees I share knowledge about and experiences with, I feel more connected to this tree.
apa/sources used
Chang, S-T; Wang, S-Y. Kuo, Y-H. (2003, February). Resources and bioactive substances from Taiwania. The Japan wood research society, vol. 49. Retrieved from http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/496/art%253A10.1007%252Fs100860300000.pdf?auth66=1382504891_c0e23ce8b575061cc1d34db14666eb0d&ext=.pdf
Ma Quingwen; Ferguson, David K; Li Fenglan; Li Chengsen. (2009, May). Leaf epidermal structures of extant plants of Cunninghamia and Taiwania and their taxomic application. Review of palaebotany and palynology. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=4&sid=529f5294-f07b-4c06-8d00-dc6ed4ca6d1e%40sessionmgr10&hid=15&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=geh&AN=2011-021123
Ma Quingwen; Ferguson, David K; Li Fenglan; Li Chengsen. (2009, May). Leaf epidermal structures of extant plants of Cunninghamia and Taiwania and their taxomic application. Review of palaebotany and palynology. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=4&sid=529f5294-f07b-4c06-8d00-dc6ed4ca6d1e%40sessionmgr10&hid=15&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=geh&AN=2011-021123