Common Names
Taxonomic notes
Five species. Some authors place it in Cephalotaxaceae; DNA studies will likely be required to resolve the problem. For now, see Ferguson's (1992) review.
Description
"Evergreen, dioecious shrubs or small trees, allied to Cephalotaxus, differing from it in male catkins which are thin, pendent and in groups (2-4 together) and in solitary ovules. Shoots opposite. Needles opposite, leathery, acuminate, with 2 bluish stomata bands on the lower surface. Fruit drupe-like, reddish, aril not entirely enclosing the seed, but open at the apex" (Vidakovic 1991).
Range
China, India, Vietnam and Taiwan (Farjon 1998).
Big Tree
Oldest
Dendrochronology
Ethnobotany
Observations
Remarks
Citations
Ferguson, D.K. 1992. A Kräusel legacy: advances in our knowledge of the taxonomy and evolution of Amentotaxus. Pp. 255-285 in F. Schaarschmidt (ed.), Anatomical investigations of plant fossils: Richard Kräusel Memorial. Frankfurt-am-Main: Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg 147.
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This page is from the Gymnosperm Database
URL: http://www.conifers.org/ta/am/index.htm
Edited by Christopher J. Earle
Last modified on 18-Oct-2002