The common name of the evergreen conifer Cunninghamia lanceolata is the China Fir and it is in the cypress family Cupressaceae. The China Fir is generally regarded as the basal clade or the most primitive surviving member in this family. It is known as 杉木 in Chinese. The exact native distribution of this tree is unknown because it has been so widely planted. However, it can be found in China, Vietnam and other countries in Asia in habitats including mixed broad-leaved forests, rocky hillsides, and also along the road. Although the common name is China Fir, this tree is not actually a fir tree since it does not belong to the Abies genus. It is accepted that there are two known varieties of this species – Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii, with seed cones 1.8-3 × 1.2-2.5 cm, and Cunninghamia lanceolata var. lanceolata, with seed cones 2.5-4.5 × 2.5-4 cm, but some experts consider these as different species instead.
The China Fir can grow up to 50m tall and 3m DBH in a conical shape. Its leaves are a deep, glossy, green and are arranged spirally in two ranks on whorled branches that droop at the ends. Since it is an evergreen tree, the leaves are long-lasting and can remain on a branch for up to five years. Furthermore, as the specific epithet lanceolata suggests, the leaves of this species are lance-shaped. Cones are small and both male and female cones can be found on the same tree. Pollen cones are found in clusters of 8-20 cones with some occasionally found around the base of a seed cone. Seed cones can be found alone or in clusters of up to four. Immature seed cones are green and as they mature, they turn brown-reddish. The bark ranges from dark gray to dark brown or reddish brown with long, irregular fissures. The aromatic yellow or red inner bark is often revealed as the parts of the outer bark flakes off along the longitudinal cracks.
Because it grows so fast, the China Fir has been cultivated for many years to use as lumber, leading to its widespread distribution. The fragrant wood is pale yellow to white and is resistant to rot and insects but also soft to work with, making it a prized timber tree. It is used for furniture, flooring, coffins, and other carpentry products. The tree is also planted to reforest areas as well as along roads on mountainsides.
References
Earle, Christopher J. [2011]. The Gymnosperm Database: Abies [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.conifers.org/pi/Abies.php
Earle, Christopher J. [2011]. The Gymnosperm Database: Cunninghamia lanceolata [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.conifers.org/cu/Cunninghamia.php
eFloras. [2008]. 1. Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lambert) Hooker. [Online]. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Available from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200005394
eFloras. [2008]. 1a. Cunninghamia lanceolata var. lanceolata. [Online]. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Available from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=210000333
eFloras. (2008). 1b. Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii (Hayata) Fujita. [Online]. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Available from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=210000332
Plants For A Future. Cunninghamia lanceolata – (Lamb.)Hook. [Online]. Available from: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cunninghamia+lanceolata