Taiwania flousiana

Gaussen

Common names

Taxonomic notes

Syn.: T. yunnanensis Koidzumi. Usually treated as a variety of T. cryptomerioides, it is here segregated as a species largely because the Burma-mainland China populations are ecologically distinct, have presumably been separate from the Taiwan populations for a long time, and have a sensitive conservation status. I have not yet reviewed all publications that might detail the taxonomic characters discriminating the two taxa.

Description

See the description for Taiwania.

Distribution and Ecology

Northern Myanmar and China: SE Guizhou (Leigong Shan), SW Hubei (Lichuan Xian, Maoba), SE Sichuan (Youyang Xian), SE Xizang (Zay¸ Xian), and W Yunnan (Fu et al. 1999).

Big tree

McNamara (2001) describes a tree (pictured at left) 41 m tall with a 113 cm dbh.

Oldest

Dendrochronology

Ethnobotany

Observations

Qiqi Pass, near Gongshan in western Yunnan, has small, scattered stands of Taiwania flousiana within dense broadleaved forests at 2000-2200 m elevation. Mature trees rise to over 60 m and tower above the surrounding forest (Wharton 2002). A somewhat accessible stand occurs near the village of Maoba in Youyang County, Sichuan; McNamara (2001), describes a 1996 visit to the stand. Cultivated specimens can be seen in the Kunming Botanical Garden, and perhaps elsewhere.

Remarks

The tree is protected by the Chinese government, who are justly proud of it (McNamara 2001).

Citations

Anonymous. [no date]. Taiwania Hayata. http://lseb.ibcas.ac.cn/sdb/teyou/typ008.htm, accessed 2003.04.10, now defunct.

McNamara, William A. 2001. Three conifers south of the Yangtze. Quarryhill Botanical Garden. http://www.quarryhillbg.org/Publications/3_con/conifers.htm, accessed 2003.04.11, now defunct.

Wharton, P. 2002. Botanical exploration on the Yunnan-Myanmar (Burma) border. Davidsonia 13(1/2): 7-14. http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/davidsonia_13_1and2_botanical_exploration.pdf, accessed 2003.04.11, now defunct.

Zeng Xiaolian (designer). Stamp issued 1992.03.10. Image available at http://www.bupt.edu.cn/stamp/plant/92_3.htm, accessed 1999.04.12, now defunct.

See also

UNESCO. 2002. Biosphere Reserve Information: China: Gaoligong Mountain. http://www2.unesco.org/mab/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?mode=all&code=CPR+18, accessed 2003.04.11.