Calocedrus formosana, first described in 1956 by C.R. Florin, is commonly known as Taiwan incense-cedar; or as Š°æ¹¾è‚–æ¥ (tái wÄn xià o nán) and Š°æ¹¾ç¿ æŸ (tái wÄn cui bai) in the Chinese lanuage.
Description. Taiwan incense-cedar is an evergreen coniferous species of tree which will grow into a large tree, with an often crooked trunk. Its bark is smooth, and purplish red-brown in color. Branchlets are distichous and alternate. Leaves are scale-like, obtuse, ca. 0.08 inch (1.5 - 2.5 mm) wide, dark green on the outside and pale green within. Female cones are oblong, 0.4 to 0.6 inch (10 - 15 mm) long, slightly curved, with 4 scales, the 2 lateral ones fertile. Seeds 1 to 2 are produced within each scale. They are 0.3 to 0.45 (8 - 12 mm) long including a single wing.
Distribution. This species is native to northern and central Taiwan, growing at elevations of 100 to 6,000 feet (33-1,900 m) over sea level.
