Discover

'''Nothotsuga''' is a genus of coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae, in many respects intermediate between the genera ''Keteleeria'' and ''Tsuga''. It is distinguished from ''Tsuga'' by the larger, erect cones with exserted bracts, and (like ''Keteleeria'') male cones in umbels, and from ''Keteleeria'' by the shorter leaves and smaller cones. ''Nothotsuga'' contains only one species, ''N. longibracteata'', commonly known as the 'Bristlecone Hemlock', which is found in southeastern China, in southern Fujian, northern Guangdong, northeast Guangxi, northeast Guizhou and southwest Hunan.
It is an evergreen tree reaching 30 m tall. The leaves are flat, needle-like, 1.2-4 cm long and 1-2 mm broad, very similar to those of ''Tsuga''. The cones are very similar to those of ''Keteleeria'' but smaller, 2.5-5 cm long, erect, and mature in about 6-8 months after pollination.
It is a very rare tree, endangered in the wild due to historical deforestation, though it is now protected. It was discovered in 1932, and at first treated as ''Tsuga longibracteata'', being classified in its own genus in 1989 when new research indicated how distinct it is from other species of ''Tsuga''.

Contents

References and external links

References and external links

★ Listed as Endangered (EN A1c v2.3)

★ Arboretum de Villardebelle - photo of cones

★ Gymnosperm Database

★ Flora of China