Nothotsuga Genus (bristlecone hemlock)

1 Species

Nothotsuga is a genus of coniferous trees in the pine 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 coniferous species of tree that grows to mature heights of 100 feet (30 m) tall. The leaves are flat and needle-like, measuring 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.2 - 4 cm) long and 0.04 to 0.08 inch (1 - 2 mm) broad, very similar to those of Tsuga. The seed cones are very similar to those of Keteleeria but are smaller, measuring only 1 to 2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm) long, and are held erect, maturing about 6 to 8 months after pollination.

Bristlecone hemlock 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.

Attribution from: Wikipedia

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