Line drawing; for full size image go to the Flora of China (Wu and Raven 1999).

Common Names

Bristlecone hemlock (Farjon 1990), 长苞铁杉 chang bao tie shan [Chinese] (Wu and Raven 1999).

Taxonomic notes

Syn: Tsuga longibracteata Cheng; Tsugo-Keteleeria longibracteata (Cheng) Van Campo-Duplan et Gaussen; Nothotsuga longibracteata (Cheng) Hu, nom. nud.; Hesperopeuce longibracteata (Cheng) Cheng, pro syn. (Farjon 1990).

This species differs strikingly from species of Tsuga as follows: leaves radially spreading, stomatal lines present on each surface; pollen cones clustered in umbels from a single lateral bud; seed cones ± erect; bracts included except for slightly exserted, apical cusp. The name Tsugo-keteleeria Van Campo & Gaussen, described as a hybrid between Tsuga and Keteleeria, is invalid (ICBN, Art. 32.1(b) and H.6.2), as is the combination Tsugo-keteleeria longibracteata (W. C. Cheng) Van Campo & Gaussen (Wu and Raven 1999).

Description

Trees to 30 m tall; trunk to 1 m dbh; bark dark brown, longitudinally fissured; branchlets drying brownish yellow or reddish brown, aging brown-gray or dark brown, glabrous; winter buds scales keeled abaxially. Leaves with petiole 1-1.5 mm; blade 1.1-2(-2.4) cm × 1-2(-2.5) mm, smooth or faintly grooved, stomatal lines 7-12 adaxially, 10-16 along each surface abaxially, margin entire, apex somewhat acute or slightly obtuse. Seed cones purplish or red, maturing to dark brown, 2-5.8 × 1.2-2.5 cm, persistent for several years, then breaking off whole or sometimes disintegrating. Seed scales at middle of cones broadly rhombic or suborbicular, 0.9-2.2 × 1.2-2.5 cm, base peltate-auriculate, apex truncate-rounded. Bracts subspatulate, 0.7-1.8 cm, apical cusp acute or acuminate. Seeds triangular-ovoid, 4-8 × 2.5-3 mm; wing ovate-oblong, apex rounded. Pollination Mar-Apr, seed maturity Oct. (Wu and Raven 1999).

Range

China: NE Guizhou, SW Hunan, N Guangdong, NE Guangxi & S Fujian (Farjon 1990).

Forming small, pure stands, or in evergreen, broad-leaved, sclerophyllous forests (species of Castanopsis, Lithocarpus, and Quercus), or mixed, mesophytic forests (Fagus longipetiolata, Pinus kwangtungensis, Tetracentron sinensis, etc.) on steep, sunny mountain slopes and ridges on acidic soils in areas with cool, temperate, humid climate and abundant rainfall and fog; (300-)400-1900(-2300) m. C and S Fujian, N Guangdong, C and N Guangxi, E Guizhou, S Hunan, S Jiangxi (Wu and Raven 1999).

Big Tree

Oldest

Dendrochronology

Ethnobotany

An ideal tree for afforestation in mountains above middle elevations in subtropical regions. The timber is used for construction and furniture (Wu and Raven 1999).

Observations

Remarks

This is a vulnerable species; few trees survive in most populations because of large scale logging (Wu and Raven 1999).

See Also