Sciadopityaceae

Common names

Taxonomic notes

The family was formerly included as a genus within Cupressaceae (Taxodiaceae), but recent genetic studies (Brunsfeld et al. 1994) have shown that it is clearly not allied with that group. The family is elevated to the rank of Order by some authors; Sciadopityales Takht. ex Reveal 1993. Relationships remain unclear, but there is some suggestion of a distant alliance to the Podocarpaceae, supported by wood structure and cpDNA analysis (Brunsfeld et al. 1994). All authorities agree that the family contains a single species, Sciadopitys verticillata, which see.

Description, etc.

See the species description.