Libocedrus

Taxobox
name = "Libocedrus"

---

image_width = 250 px
image_caption = "Libocedrus plumosa", Kawaka, New Zealand
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Pinophyta
classis = Pinopsida
ordo = Pinales
familia = Cupressaceae
genus = "Libocedrus"
genus_authority = Endl.
range_

range_map_width = 250px
range_map_caption = natural range of "Libocedrus"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Libocedrus austrocaledonica" "Libocedrus bidwillii" "Libocedrus chevalieri" "Libocedrus plumosa" "Libocedrus yateensis"

"Libocedrus" is a genus of five species of coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to New Zealand and New Caledonia. The genus is closely related to the South American genera "Pilgerodendron" and "Austrocedrus", and the New Guinean genus "Papuacedrus", both of which are included within "Libocedrus" by some botanists; the four genera together form an example of the Antarctic flora distribution. These genera are rather similar to the Northern Hemisphere genera "Calocedrus" and "Thuja": in earlier days, what is now "Calocedrus" was sometimes included in "Libocedrus". They are much less closely related, as recently confirmed (Gadek et al. 2000). The generic name means "teardrop cedar", apparently referring to drops of resin.

The leaves are scale-like, 3-7 mm long, in apparent whorls of four (actually opposite decussate pairs, but not evenly spaced apart, instead with the successive pairs closely then distantly spaced). The cones are 8-20 mm long, and have just 2 pairs of moderately thin, erect scales, each scale with a distinct spine 3-7 mm long on the outer face, and bearing two winged seeds on the inner face.

The two New Zealand species, known individually by their Māori names Kawaka ("Libocedrus plumosa") and Pāhautea ("Libocedrus bidwillii"), are sometimes called New Zealand Cedars. No common names have been recorded for the three New Caledonian species.

Uses

The wood of "Libocedrus" is soft, moderately decay-resistant, and with a spicy-resinous fragrance. The two New Zealand species are also grown as ornamental plants.

External links

*"New Zealand Plant Conservation Network", URL: [http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/vascular_plants/detail.asp?PlantID=951 "Libocedrus bidwillii"] . Accessed 14 May 2007.
*"New Zealand Plant Conservation Network", URL: [http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/vascular_plants/detail.asp?PlantID=287 "Libocedrus plumosa"] . Accessed 14 May 2007.
*"Arboretum de Villardebelle". URL: [http://www.pinetum.org/cones/CScones.htm Cone photos] . Accessed 14 May 2007.
*"Gymnosperm Database", URL; [http://www.conifers.org/cu/li/index.htm "Libocedrus"] . Accessed 14 May 2007.
* [http://www.cityofdunedin.govt.nz/city/?MIvalObj=bg_plantlife_20060807&MItypeObj=application/pdf&ext=.pdf "Libocedrus", New Zealand Cedar]

References

*Gadek, P. A., Alpers, D. L., Heslewood, M. M., & Quinn, C. J. 2000. Relationships within Cupressaceae sensu lato: a combined morphological and molecular approach. "American Journal of Botany" 87: 1044–1057. [http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/7/1044 Abstract] .