Sciadopitys

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"Umbrella Pine" redirects here, but this term is also used uncommonly to mean Stone Pine

Sciadopitys

Sciadopitys verticillata

Conservation status

Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Sciadopityaceae Luerss.
Genus:	Sciadopitys Siebold & Zucc.
Species:	S. verticillata

Binomial name

Sciadopitys verticillata
(Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc.

The Koyamaki (Sciadopitys verticillata) or Japanese Umbrella-pine, is a unique conifer endemic to Japan. It is the sole member of the family Sciadopityaceae and genus Sciadopitys, a living fossil with no close relatives, and known in the fossil record for about 230 million years.

Sciadopitys verticillata foliage

It is an evergreen tree that can grow 15-27m tall, with brown main shoots bearing whorls of 7-12cm long flexible green cladodes which look like, and perform the function of, leaves but are actually composed of stem tissues; occasionally, a cladode will be forked and produce a bud in the 'v' of the fork. The cones are 6-11cm long, mature in about 18 months, and have flattish scales which open to release the seeds.

It is a very attractive tree and is popular in gardens, despite its slow growth rate and high cost.

Koyamaki was chosen as the Japanese Imperial crest for Prince Hisahito of Akishino, currently third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.