Common Names

Po mu (Vietnamese) (FIPI 1996).

Taxonomic notes

Syn: Cupressus hodginsii Dunn1908; Fokiena kawaii Hayata 1917, nom. illeg.; Fokiena maclurei Merrill 1922; Fokiena hodginsii (Dunn) A. Henry et H.H. Thomas var. kawaii (Hayata) Silba 2000. Type: China, Yunnan, near border with Vietnam (Farjon 2005).

The sole species in Fokiena Henry & Thomas 1911. The genus is intermediate in character between Chamaecyparis and Calocedrus, its foliage strongly resembling Calocedrus macrolepis (Dallimore et al. 1967).

Description

An evergreen tree to 25-35 m tall with dbh up to 200 cm, bole straight, crown pyramidal. Bark brown grey, peeling off when young, later longitudinally fissured, aromatic. Leaves scale-like, arranged in flattened tripinnate branchlet systems, the pinnae disposed in one plane like a Thuja , the branchlets tapering above. Leaves on adult trees arising in whorls of 4 at the same level, sub-acute, about 2 mm long, the lateral leaves ovate, compressed, with white stomatal depressions on their ventral surfaces, facial leaves oblanceolate with a triangular apex, furrowed above. Internodes longer on older branchlets, the leaves rising at different levels in alternately opposite pairs. Leaves on young plants larger, about 8 mm long with spine-like points. Male cones oval to cylindrical, axillary, about 2.5 mm long, with 3-5 pairs of scales. Female cones resemble those of Chamaecyparis, ripening in the second year, globose or sub-globose, about 25 mm long, 22 mm wide, shortly stalked, composed of 5-8 pairs of scales, each with a central spine or short process. Seeds 2 on each fertile scale, about 4 mm long, angular, pointed, with 2 large resin blisters on the upper and lower surface; wings lateral, very unequal (Dallimore et al. 1967, FIPI 1996).

Range

E China: Zhejiang, Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan (Dallimore et al. 1967); and Vietnam: Dac Lac, Gia Lai, Ha Bac, Ha Giang, Ha Tinh, Hoa Binh, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lao Cai, Nghe An, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phu, and Yen Bai (FIPI 1996).

It is a shade intolerant species, well adapted to mild climates with abundant rainfall, occurring naturally on humid soils in high mountain areas, slopes or flats. In Vietnam it is found at elevations above 900 m on granite or limestone mountains, forming pure stands or mixed with Dacrydium elatum, Pinus dalatensis and other broad-leaved tree species of the families Fagaceae, Lauraceae and Magnoliaceae. Good natural regeneration occurs in open areas, e.g. along streams, at forest edges, and in clearings in young forests (FIPI 1996).

Big Tree

Oldest

Dendrochronology

Ethnobotany

The timber is light, fine and aromatic with straight grain. It was formerly used for coffins. Laotians and Dao tribesmen split the timber for roofing and wall partitioning. It is also used for furniture, art articles, and to produce charcoal of high heat value. Distillation, especially of the root wood, gives an essential oil used for cosmetics and preparation of medicines (FIPI 1996).

Observations

Although it is widely distributed, I am only certain that it can be readily found in the Pu Mat, Vu Quang and Bi Doup Nature Reserves in Vietnam.

Remarks

Listed as threatened/endangered in Vietnam by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. It must be strictly protected in Nature Reserves such as Pu Mat (Nghe An), Vu Quang (Ha Tinh) and Bi Doup (Lam Dong) (FIPI 1996).

The generic name is an archaic Romanization of Fujian, the Chinese province from which the first specimens were introduced to the West. The discoverer (in 1908) was a Captain Hodgins, whence the specific epithet.

See Also

Farjon (2005) provides a detailed account, with illustrations.

Luu and Thomas 2004 provides a recent description, range map, conservation status, drawings and photos, and a wealth of additional information.